Question:
Is it true????????

Rumors has been flying all through my job about bc/bs of florida. The rumor is that bc/bs will no longer pay for the surgery as of 1/01/03. Then later in someone else's post on this site, they heard it on T.V. I called bc/bs and asked three different customer service reps and they all said that they have no knowledge of it. I do know for a fact that if it is true, NO company will relay that type of information to the public, to save their company from tons of calls on the subject. Has anyone else heard of this rumor?    — Luscious1 X. (posted on October 15, 2002)

October 15, 2002
Tamara, for what it's worth, rumors about BC/BS (any of them) *not* paying for WLS after Jan. 2003 have been circulating for months on this website too. So far I haven't seen anyone able to substantiate the rumor or identify its source (or identify which of the dozens of BC/BCs it applies to). By now, I would think their policies about next year's coverage should be "out of the bag." But who knows ... and I'd share your fear that the patients would be the last to know!
   — Suzy C.

October 15, 2002
Tamara- Do you remember the grapevine game we played as kids? You start with one statement and by the time it gets down the line the statement has changed. Well, that is what creates rumors. BCBS is changing their policy on WLS, to qualify now you have to prove you have been on a one year doctor supervised diet. Keep in mind that any company/business who uses BCBS can make WLS an exclusion in their policy, so you have to check with your policy specifically. I hope this helps. Cheryl BCBS covered Lap RNY 19 weeks -86lbs
   — Cheryl S.

October 16, 2002
Tamera, I live in New Mexico. I am the insurance person for the company I work for. I have BC/BS of New Mexico and I recieved a letter stating that BC/BS of New Mexico plans Conversion/Transfer Indemnity and HealthSense Plans I and II will no longer cover WLS as of 4/1/02. The HMO plan I have already excluded WLS even if morbidly obese, even if medically necessary. I don't think the various BS/BS companies are connected, so what applies to one does not necessarily apply to all, but this is a bad president.
   — Margie W.