Question:
FYI- Indiana

>Hi everyone (and especially those in Indiana): wanted to share some information. Most of you probably know that Indiana passed a law effective 7/1/00 requiring the state insurance coverage surgery for morbid obesity and for private insurers and self-insureds to OFFER that coverage to employers (who may or may not decide to buy it). The criteria used under state law in Indiana requires that your morbid obesity be documented of 5+ years duration AND most importantly, THAT YOU DEMONSTRATE UNSUCCESSFUL NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR 18 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS! For those of you thinking about surgery or in the planning stages, I strongly recommend that you get on such a program and stick to it while you decide on surgery. Otherwise, state law will give insurers an "easy out" with respect to denials. I've reviewed some recent criteria from one health plan (Arnett) out there which plans to stick to this criteria very very closely. Other plans are likely to follow; so just keep this in mind! Hope this helps someone not need us in the future. > >    — Courtrina Amur W. (posted on August 24, 2000)

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