Cutting State Employees Bariatric Surgery Coverage!!!

I just got an email that Governor Kaine is proposing cutting coverage of bariatric surgery for state employees. If passed July 1st 2009 will not have coverage after that. So any of you that is having surgery after that wouldn't be covered.  I suggest emailing or calling like I am going to do. I know how much this surgery has changed my life for the better and I don't want Governor Kaine taking that away from any of you.

 

Looking for Tips on What to Say or E-mail?

 

• If you are a post-bariatric surgery patient, please share in your call or e-mail the difference your weight-loss has made in your life from both a quality of life and health standpoint. For instance, if you are no longer a diabetic, you now take a reduced number of medications and/or no longer suffer from sleep apnea. Your personal story is powerful.
• Make sure you emphasize that you are a state employee and include any differences in your work performance, absenteeism, health costs, etc. post-surgery.
• If you are seeking weight-loss surgery, explain your personal preparation, what health complications you are currently experiencing, how they affect your quality of life and the burden that would be placed on you by the exclusion of weight-loss surgery.

 

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♥(¸.·´ ♥(¸.·' ♥ Abby ♥

Hi!  I too am Dr. Trahan's patient and am happy to see that you have already posted the information for all of us to see and respond to.  I will be on the phone and emailing committee members tonight and tomorrow.
Of note, even those of us who have already had our surgeries may have our benefits cut for follow up care...this does not just affect authorizations for future surgeries.  At the very least, those of us who have had our surgeries approved by insurance should be allowed to have continued follow up care covered also.  I will make that point when I contact our legislators.

Abby I love this picture you look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope to see ya soon! How is Amir?

Aww thanks!!! I hope so too!! when's our next mtg? He's good. I haven't seen him in a while. I think he'll be back in cville the end of his spring break.

Sat 28th 12:00 noon @ Vinneys in Ruckersville.

I am a Virginia state employee and am very close to hopefully getting a surgery date.  I have e-mailed Governor Kaine about this issue.  I will let you know what I find out.  Seems this would be more of an insurance issue to me. 

It is not an insurance issue.  CoVA is a self funded plan meaning the insurance company only administers the benefits the plan purchases.  It is not the insurance companies fault (this time).  All they are doing is giving CoVA the negotiated rates, which is much cheaper for the group.  It is up to the benefits administrator to decide what procedures to cover or exclude.  Anthem has nothing to do with it.

I can say that this likely change in our health insurance benefits will be a deciding factor in whether I stay with the state or quit.  I have been working for over 3 years making about half of what I could be making.  If I have to pay for follow-up and fills on my own, I need to be making more money to cover it!  It really is a shame that this is happening (and I have little doubt these coverages will be cut.  I also read that Kaine wants to cut what little 457 match we get!)

That stinks! I am on self pay coverage w/ state insurance plan for a while longer. I guess it wouldnt cover post op care either. I will try and contact my delegate. I know it does drive up insurance costs. My employer before the state had many problems with employees getting tired of increases in premiums because of others having bariatric surgery. I wasnt interested at the time nor covered by their insurance. Now I see how important the coverage it. I would not be walking with my other health issues had I not lost the weight.
Shannon