Question:
What do I do when my insurance will cover surgery but EMPLOYER won't?

I have had my initial consultation set up for several weeks (it was to be April 9th) and on March 27th we got an email from the VP of Human Resources saying "weight loss surgery including gastric bypass, stomach stapling, etc. will no longer be covered" under our health plan. I have called the VP and left emails and basically they tell me I'm screwed because I didn't actually HAVE the surgery by the date the memo was posted. I have contacted the lawyers on obesitylaw.com but I'm not sure if they can help, seeing as our "handbook" says they can change the policy at any time. I don't know what my next step should be...if anyone could help I would appreciate it! The Bariatric Treatment Centers canceled my appointment once I told them my insurance would no longer cover the procedure. I am heartbroken and devastated. Please email me at [email protected] with any suggestions. I work at Lakeland Regional Health System in St. Joseph, MI. I am even willing to change jobs to obtain coverage--so if any post-ops can tell me where they worked to get it covered, I'd appreciate that too!!! Thanks so much!!    — D R. (posted on April 3, 2002)

April 3, 2002
Do you have any serious comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, etc. If so, the people at obesitylaw.com, that you have contacted may be able to still help you. Especially here in Michigan, companies are prohibited from discriminating against people who are obese. And if you have serious weight related health problems that the best treatment for would be WLS, it can be considered as discrimination to exempt medically necessary treatment of those weight related comorbidities. Walter Lindstrom got me approved after a lengthy battle with my insurance so I would highly recommend him.
   — Dell H.