Question:
Does anyone know if Federal Employees Health Plans will provide WLS coverage in 2001?

   — Tonya K. (posted on August 9, 2000)

August 9, 2000
Hi! I'm a federal employee and went through Mailhandlers. They were great. I had my surgery through Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group in San Diego. I started my quest in Jan 00 when my health insurance came into effect...got my lab work taken care of early on...had my appts with surgeon, psych and internist all in one day (24 Feb)...by the following Wed I had the approval letter in my hand from MHBP! Surgery scheduling was a different story...that happened on 3-27-00. I have been thrilled with the results. Mailhandler's has been great. Linda
   — Lucky B.

August 9, 2000
I also have MailHandlers & my experience was the same. I was approved within two weeks, after the first letter. I never had any problem with them at all. They didn't pay for everything...my surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesiologist,& most pre-op testing were paid at 70%. Fortunately, my hospital was a PPO & was paid at 100%.
   — Kathy W.

August 9, 2000
I have BC/BS Federal-Standard they paid 100% of hospital bill 90% on the Doctor/Surg Ass't. lab. path. But because they were all PPO they paid 100% of the allowable charges I had no out of pocket expenses. We are lucky that the federal haelth plans allow for WLS. I have not seen a new book for 2001 but they have paid for WLS for many years and I would not think that will change. Ask you Personnel Office to see a copy of the insurance plan you are interested it. Open season should be soon and see which plan offers it. I was very pleased with BC/BS I was approved within a few days after they recieved my package. As a matter of fact I saw my doctor on 10 February had my approval and surgery date on 18 February. I had surgery 4/4/00 and have lost a total of 85 lbs (I was a size 22/24 now I am a 12/14 and still have 50 lbs to lose. My health has improved drastically and live could not be any more wonderful. Good Luck
   — ann A.

August 10, 2000
I am a Federal employee, and I have Mailhandlers Insurance. They approved me within one week of receiving the request with no questions asked.
   — nealp

November 8, 2001
I have BCBS Federal PPO high option and my doctor's new office staff are extremely frightened and confused by it and are giving me an extremely hard time. First they said that they had no patients that used it this year. I found such a person at this site and brought up their name. Then the office manager said the insurance rejected it. ??????? The office mgr then told me that my insurance will not cover WLS. She was very insistant on that until I told her it stated very clearly in my policy that it does cover this surgery and she even has a copy of it stating so in my file. Never mind that many of the other doctors offices that I have phoned said BCBS is a great insurance company. So I am changing over to mailhandler's insurance and double checking for the WLS inclusion in the policy and I will be phoning Mailhandlers to double check! Ahhhhhhhh rats, it's a long struggle but I think I will keep my doctor because he is so good and highly recommended. His office staff stinks on ice, though.
   — Carmen K.

November 8, 2001
ALL Federal Health Plans MUST COVER WLS. It is a required benefit, like mental health and substance abuse care. I just got my 2002 BC/BS Book, and it is covered plain as day (as it was in 2001). They may, however, have different docs under their preferred plan, etc. I understand my local Federal Kaiser plan refers people to only one local doc, someone I would not have do my surgery, because he does not do the kind i wanted. THAT is harder to argue, but I know some people are successful.
   — M. A. B.