Question:
How do I find out if my employer has a written exclusion for wls? Shouldn't

it be listed in the benefits manual? Just wondering as I have my initial consult next tues and curious what hoops i will have to jump thru to get approval...    — Sharee *. (posted on September 4, 2003)

September 4, 2003
I would call my benefits office or speak to someone in Human Resources. I don't think he employer would have an exclusion...however the insurance company could. You might also talk to your insurance company. Where I work, we have 3 choices of insurance... the insurance I have been under for years does not cover WLS so I waited until the start of 2003 and changed to an insurance that did cover it.
   — Rhonda S.

September 4, 2003
Look in the exclusions section of your insurance booklet. Look for something that addresses weight loss. If it does not say that "no treatment for obesity, including morbid obesity, is covered" then you stand a good chance as long as medical necessity is met. It could say not treatment related to obesity is covered, but that is fine as you have to be morbidly obese to have this surgery and they are different diagnosis codes. <p>Your employer very definitely could have asked for that as an exclusion from the standard policy. Companies can customize as they wish. You can also call the customer service number and ask if it is covered. If they say no, ask them to point out where in the insurance book it is addressed. Even if they say it is addressed I still would apply. What have you got to lose.
   — zoedogcbr