Question:
MD passed bill for Treatment of Obesity

In April, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill regarding the treatment of Morbid Obesity. It is supposed to make this surgery a mandated procedure, meaning that the insurance company cannot simply have it listed as an exclusion. The mandate goes into effect on October 1, 2001. For everyone who has been denied due to an exclusion, call your insurance company and let the know about this bill. It was House Bill 675. You may have to wait until it goes into effect before getting surgery, but at least it is a glimmer of hope for those of us who have been denied over and over and over due to an exclusion. If anyone has had this happen in your state, what were the results???    — Jackie L. (posted on May 15, 2001)

May 15, 2001
Georgia has a similar House Bill; however, it does not mandate that insurance companies provide coverage, it just suggests that they do. In my opinion, the verbage is NOT strong enough but it is a start. Good luck and I do hope that your State does make it mandatory!
   — Sharon R.