Question:
Have You Been Affected By A Wal Mart Exclusion

Dear Friends, I am working on a project from a WLS patient advocacy standpoint. I am trying to gather information regarding the exclusion WalMart has in it's insurance policy. I am not bashing WalMart IN ANY WAY. Frankly, I deposit a great deal of my weekly pay in their stores -ha ha. However, I am trying to educate myself on whether or not they are offering bariatric surgery as a benefit yet. It has long been my experience that they have an airtight exclusion. Can anyone please shed some light on this for me? The more responses I get - the better. I need as much information as possible to aid me in this project. If we work together we can change the world! Thanks!    — ronascott (posted on July 25, 2003)

July 25, 2003
i just recently went to work at wal-mart b/c i heard they had excellent ins. but after reading their coverage book, boom. they do not cover any kind of wls no matter what other health problems ocur due to the obesity. they also, do not cover any reconstructive surgery no matter how many pounds u have lost and how many problems the extra skin is causing u. that is why i needed the ins, for tt and breast lift as i have a bad back and tho it is better since losing weight, my back dr says it wont b totally better till the boobs arent sagging down and the extra skin on the belly arent pulling me down. so im looking for another job with ins that will cover those things. if somehow u manage to get them to pay, please let me know. thanks a bunch. a wal-mart associate--amanda mercer
   — amanda W.

July 25, 2003
As stated by the previous poster, Wal-Mart does not cover ANY therapy of ANY kind for obesity. No prescriptions, no therapy, no surgery, nothing at all. I also work for Wal-Mart. Personally, I only work part-time and receive full Medicaid, which is how I had my surgery paid for. After 2 years of working at Wal-Mart, part-time associates are eligible to pay for benefits. I knew this was my window, and knew Wal-Mart is not helpful at all in this area. The only thing a full-time Wal-Mart associate has going for them regarding this surgery is the ability to get short-term disability payments while they are on a leave of absence for surgery. Best of luck! P.S. Bash all you want! Customers are the ONLY ones who affect change in our company!!! :)
   — ladyphy

July 25, 2003
Geez! With the millions of bucks they make, you'd think they'd take better care of their employees. Well, I guess that's why they have the big bucks. Just my opinion.
   — ZZ S.

July 25, 2003
WHy not Wal-Mart bash? They netted 26 billion dollars last year and they pay thier employees next to nothing, their health plan sucks and doesn't pay for dependants. They have been tried and convicted of forcing employees to work overtime OFF the clock. They sacrifice the employee at EVERY turn to save and make another buck. I am disgusted to discover that they have WLS as an exclusion. I refuse to shop at Wal-mart for those reasons, I will not contribute one dime to make the rich richer and to perpetuate the decline of the average employees existence by adding to the net of 26 billion dollars. I'll step off my soap box.....but to keep dumping your hard earned dollars into Wal-Mart is to undermine the hard working people that would do better on Welfare and Medicaid
   — Sarah S.

July 25, 2003
AMEN SARAH!!!!!!!!!! I used to work for Sam's Club and let me tell you that I no longer shop at either. The way Walmart treats their employees is disgusting. Sam Walton is probably rolling over in his grave. This was not how he intended this business to be run.
   — SweetDragonfly

July 26, 2003
Thanks to everyone who has posted an answer. If more of you know of specific issues with WalMart insurance I'd sure like to hear about them. Like I said - the more, the better. Thanks so much.
   — ronascott

July 26, 2003
I work for walmart and was recently approved for surgery. The difference is though, that due to previous health problems, I opted for the HMO options that Walmarts in some states offer not the generic Walmart insurance. I pay probably 4 times as much in a pay period for my insurance but I was approved first try.
   — AuntieT

August 1, 2003
I have worked at wal-mart for 17 yrs. We still have the option of choosing walmart ins. which does exclude any type of weight loss surgery or in our store(Bristol,TN.) we have the option of John Deere Choice insurance. I asked the representitive from John Deere if they covered bariatric surgery and she told me they took it case by case but did cover if it was medically necessary.The insurance is more costly than regular walmart insurance but in my opinion it is worth the extra cost, because to me it offers better coverage and I chose John Deere also because I plan on having this surgery.. I have to add that it is so strange insurance companies exclude this type of surgery but yet can exclude you from getting health or life insurance because you are overweight but yet they do not want to help with anything that might help you from being obese and leading a healthier life..Just had to add my 2cents in..
   — Beverly S.