Question:
Last week I posted a question about a BCBS rumor.

Today on the front page of the Florida Times Union there was a story about gastric by pass surgery. It says that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida will no longer cover any type of weight loss surgery. It says that "the treatments lack the effectiveness and cost benifit to justify coverage". It goes on to say "This self-induced lifestyle problem needs to be addressed at the root...not through an easy fix procedure we think there are safety and efficacy risks". I am so mad, how ignorant is that. Can they get away with that? I am almost incoherent after reading the artical. When I can think again I want to write someone or do something. Any suggestions? I think you can read the artical if you go to www.jacksonville.com.    — Tawnda C. (posted on February 12, 2004)

February 12, 2004
I did a little research and found the article after typing the newspaper name into google. Here is the link http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/021204/met_14797793.shtml It is an apparant truth, that they will stop covering the surgery after this year. That is terrible, I am so sorry. Shelley
   — Shelley.

February 12, 2004
I have BCBS MI and they did pay for my WLS, but also were supose to cover all my post-op visits and yet I keep getting billed and it was $300.00 for my last set of labs and $500.00 for my visit with my Surgeon. I am tierd of calling the insurance company and trying to get everything payed for. I has my surgery at BTC and a couple months after my surgery they stopped accepting BCBS b/c BCBS would not approve WLS anymore and I think thats why I have so many problems now.
   — Sandy M.

February 12, 2004
I saw that article as well, the weird thing is that it said UHC no longer covers either, but they do. I have UHC and my surgeon called to make sure the procedure was still covered, and under my policy it is. However, my boyfriend also has UHC and his policy has a rather nastily worded exclusion. Insurance sucks.
   — Shayna T.

February 12, 2004
I have bc/bs of Iowa, and I have been told by them, that everyones policy is the same. It all depends on what your employer negotiated with them when the policy went into effect. I know my policy covers MO surgery and according to my benefits coordinator they will continue to cover it. I don't know if this helps I do believe that each branch under the BC/BS umbrella is governed independently within it's self and per what the employer negotiated with them.
   — Linn R.

February 12, 2004
Correction to my previous post. Everyones policy is NOT the same. It all depends on what your employer negotiated with them when the policy went into effect. I know my policy covers MO surgery and according to my benefits coordinator they will continue to cover it. I don't know if this helps I do believe that each branch under the BC/BS umbrella is governed independently within it's self and per what the employer negotiated with them.
   — Linn R.

February 13, 2004
I am not surprise - if it works they will break it is routine for a lot of polical agendas namely healthcare. I am still amazed how places like Canada are so far advance in healthcare while we wait for FDA and other red tapes. We who have had the surgery must set examples for these policy makers - it has improved the quality of our lives and we must attempt to continue to show them that this surgery does work and should not be banned.
   — Anna M.