Question:
anyone approved by plumbers and pipefitters

hi my husband is a member of plumbers and pipefitters local union 630 in west palm beach florida .they denied my approval for insurance now i am going to appeal i was wondering if anyone has been approved from them any info will help thanks cathy    — CAT6573 (posted on September 5, 2003)

September 5, 2003
Sorry, I just could not let this go. When I saw the plumbers and pipefitters, I immediately thought about the fact that many of us refer to the bypass surgeries as rerouting/reworking our plumbing. Maybe hubby could do it for free! LOL Sorry I can't help with anything constructive.
   — zoedogcbr

September 5, 2003
Hi We're local 130 Plumbers in Chicago...and I was approved within about 2 weeks or so:) BCBS/IL. Good luck!! PS we always refer to surgery as Mom's stomach welding:)
   — kathy B.

September 5, 2003
Hey cathy, I have boilermakers union insurance out of a local in Michigan and I have been denied twice and was told they do not cover this surgery no matter what. I have done ALOT of research and found out that unions are generally self funded insurance companies and you do have and outside appeal option through the department of labor and under the ERISA rules. Do some checking and good luck. I have hired Obesity law and if that doen not work the labor board is my next step. Becky Jo
   — becky M.

September 6, 2003
Cathy, My husband is also a pipefitter out of local 562 in St. Louis with HealthLink insurance. I had no problem getting approved. First the local approved me then HealthLink approved. All this done with only one letter from my surgeon. Good Luck--Wendy
   — Wendy E.