Question:
I am a new State of Illinois employee: Which insurance company should I choose?

I am a new State of Illinois employee and have FIVE DAYS to choose an insurance plan or else one will be chosen for me. Are there any state of Illinois employees who have had WLS or have attempted to obtain approval? Which plans have been helpful with regard to WLS?    — Ginger L. (posted on February 3, 2001)

February 3, 2001
What are your choices? I would call each of the plan and ask if thy have an exclusion on weight loss surgery or the treatment of mobid obesity. Most likely if it is medically neccessary they may approve it. But it is better to call and find out first.
   — Sharon T.

February 3, 2001
My husband works for the state of Illinois too. (Illinois Department of Corrections), although I was approved through my employers insurance (AETNA) Humana HMO would have picked it up as well, since I met the criteria (ie. BMI over 40, attempts at weight loss etc.) Rush is a good choice as well. My choice would be to go for a PPO (like Rush) who are a little more lenient in their criteria. Although the HMO's eventually approve you, they seem to make you jump through too many hoops to justify. (It took a month to get approved for my Breast Reduction surgery). In any instance, scour the policy books of your choices and see that their are no exclusions. The good thing is, reenrollment is in May! Good luck in your decision.
   — corpdiva2006