Question:
Any experience with APWU First Health Insurance

I have APWU First Health Insurandce I know they cover this type of surgery but not their specif criteria for approval. Can anyone with this insurance share their experience.    — Margaret L. (posted on March 31, 2002)

June 12, 2002
I can now answer my own question. It took 4 weeks to get approval. I have a BMI of 45 arthritis of knees, spine, and hips, and hypertension. I had to get a psychological exam, be medically necessary, diet history,etc. After all this was submitted they requested medical records from my personal physician of medically supervised diets. He did a letter instead of records and stated I had been on 2. One in 97 for approx 7 months which ended when Phen-fen went off the market and one in 2001 for several months which ended when he had to discontinue Meridia because of high blod pressure. I don't know what they were looking for but this did the trick. My Dr. also highly recommended me for the surgery and stated he didn't expect me to get better without it and felt I was only a matter of time before I had more serious medical problems to deal with. Hope this helps someone else.
   — Margaret L.

January 5, 2005
My husband works for the post office and we just switched from BC/BS PPO to APWU and I haven't been able to find anything on how they handle this type of surgery. I have a BMI of 47.5 and have high blood pressure, joint pain, shortness of breath, acid reflux, and I'm going for a sleep study at the first of February. I already have a letter from my PCP and am scheduled to attend a seminar by a doctor that is on this insurance. Do you think I will have much trouble getting aproval based upon your experience?
   — Karen M.