Question:
(Not a question but ) FYI - THIS WAS POSTED IN A NEWSPAPER TODAY.

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- Just when the U.S. government has declared obesity a public health crisis, insurers are growing more skeptical of drastic -- and expensive -- remedies like "stomach stapling" surgery. Demand is skyrocketing for these bariatric surgeries, which shrink the stomach to help the obese lose weight. The number of procedures performed in the United States jumped to 103,000 last year from about 16,000 in the early 1990s, according to Dr. Robert Steinbrook, a national correspondent for The New England Journal of Medicine. "The epidemic of obesity in the United States has spawned a second epidemic -- of bariatric surgery," he wrote in the March 11 edition. Analysts say many factors are driving the frenzy, including a rise in obesity, the advent of less-invasive surgical techniques and publicity from celebrities like NBC television personality Al Roker and singer Carnie Wilson, whose surgery was broadcast over the Internet. But as health insurers grapple with mounting medical costs, the $30,000 procedure is coming under close scrutiny. HMOs say the complication rate is high, and some are refusing to cover it at all. "While everyone initially covered it, I think everyone is getting more diligent" about qualifying patients who really need it, said Mohit Ghose, spokesman for the trade group that represents most U.S. managed health plans. The surgery is recommended for people who are "morbidly obese" -- generally defined as overweight by more than 100 pounds for men and 80 pounds for women. According to U.S. government data, 4.7 percent of Americans fall into that category. But experts agree the risks of the surgery are grave -- including excessive bleeding, blood clots, infection, ulcers, gastrointestinal leaks, respiratory failure and spleen injury. 'Questionable benefit' But Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, with 6 million members, will end coverage of bariatric surgeries next year, saying they are "risky" and "of questionable benefit."    — Anna M. (posted on March 23, 2004)

March 23, 2004
I think all of us need to work to get WLS required everywhere for MOs. So florida blue cross wants to save a buck at the expense and detriment of each and every overweight needy subscriber. Theres a reason WLS has become so popular, because it works! and sadly diets fail 99% of the time.
   — bob-haller

March 23, 2004
I posted this awhile ago. Not this story, but about how the insurance companies are going to lobby and pay for so called studies to prove this is dangerous because we're beating them. Unreal. Gary www.obesitylawyers.com
   — gary viscio

March 23, 2004
I think BC/BS of Florida is just looking for the quick fix to save them money. All they care about is the cost. More people are seeing the results which is good, and so more want the surgery. They do not care if it is considered risky or of questionable benefit. Thats a bunch of crap! For insurance companies it has always been about the numbers and cost. They need to take a look at the long term end results. It's a shame they do not see obesity as a disease. It is sad that most of society looks at obesity as a character flaw, or a lack of self control.
   — Erin E.

March 23, 2004
It's just another example of big money winning out in the country because they are the ones that back the political parties. Just like Dow Corning getting off pretty painlessly for all the silicone implants and just when things are trying to get settled with that mass lawsuit, they have another company trying to put them back on the market. Wonder just how much of that other company Dow owns trying to make it look ok to have the implants at a critical time in that juncture. Same for tobacco. It's just so disheartening how these big companies change the facts to suit their own needs.
   — Tparker

March 23, 2004
That makes me so sad when I think about the people who are miraculously off insulin following WLS, no longer need CPAP machines, their blood pressure is normal, and on and on. Are these questionable benefits? I think not.
   — Yolanda J.

March 23, 2004
You know, I hate to say this, but it's probably a good thing that it's harder to get approval. I don't think the insurance companies should flat out stop covering it, Lord knows I'm benefitting from my surgery WONDERFULLY! However, by reading some of the Q&A's, and some peoples profiles, I honestly believe that some people just weren't fully ready for surgery. That they thought it was a quick fix and weren't really willing to deal with any consequences. There are people trying to GAIN weight to qualify. It's sad.
   — ScottieB86

March 24, 2004
I'm sorry to say that I've seen perfectly healthy people that barely have a BMI of 35 with quarters in their pockets, making up co-morbs to get insurance to cover surgery because they want to be "thin". I would have killed pre-op to be the size of some of those women. I think this practice can ruin it for others. We all know that insurance companies are interested in profit. The original thought by the insurance company was that the surgery should be covered because the cost would be offset by the lifelong savings of a healthier person. However you factor in the non-compliant people who re-gain all their weight, or people w/ low BMIs whose health isn't compromised, then add in complications, and all of a sudden the cost/benefit analysis goes the other way, and they no longer want to cover it, OR, the insurance premiums sky rocket (which ours did this year). It's a shame because they're throwing the baby out with the bathwater. We've heard horror stories of companies not approving those who desperately need the surgery, and that's a crime. However there are other things going on as well, and if the insurance companies become more diligent, maybe it will keep the surgery available for those who need it.
   — mom2jtx3

March 24, 2004
My plastic surgeon said BCBS in FLA isn't paying for TT after March 31. Thank GOD I had mine done March 2... BASTARDS is all I have to say about my own insurance Co. I'm taking it up with the company I work for when I return because they supported me and my decision to have surgery. I think AMOS and ASBS will fight and will win, but a lot of MO people will die in the meantime. Just my two cents worth
   — Jen E.