Question:
Has anyone considered a class action law suit against their Ins CO?

HAS ANYBODY CONSIDERED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEIR INS COMPANY TO FORCE COVERAGE.i HAVE REGENCE BLUE SHIELDIN WASHINGTON STATE. IT'SHAMEFUL THAT PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO HAVE TO GO OUT OF STATE OR COUNTRY TO GET SX ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE SEVERAL CO MORBIDITIES.    — j G. (posted on November 20, 2001)

November 20, 2001
If you are talking about insurance provided to you through your work is actually in most cases selected by the Company you work for. I know the Company I work for has this surgery written into it's policy. Places like Wal-mart have there policy written to Exclude this type of Surgery. I am not defending Insurance Companies, because for the most part they suck, but start with your Company, and your HR department.
   — sbinkerd1

November 20, 2001
HA!! I have insurance thru Winn Dixie and I wrote to them already to change the policy cause they have an exclusion for "Weight control". Of course this surgery isnt for "weight control" so Im going to try and get them on the grounds that the policy is ambiguius. Im seeing a lawyer to see what they say. Good luck in your fight!
   — Dina L.

November 23, 2001
There is a Yahoo discussion group for WLS insurance problems; it is geared toward DS as most companies approve other WLS but not DS because it is more expensive. I will post the URL after I post this letter. Dina, there is a difference between "obesity" and "morbid obesity"; if your policy excludes treatment for "obesity" or "weight control," that is NOT an exclusion for treatment of MO! In the files of the Yahoo group there is lots and lots and lots of info on this! Really a lot! ;-) The ICD-9 code for obesity is 278.00, for MO is 278.01. This should help you with your appeal. Good luck everyone--and wish me luck too!
   — Chris T.

November 23, 2001
To subscribe to the yahoo group, write to [email protected]. Members do not want to discuss surgeries other than DS; however anyone can look through the files for help. I encourage all pre-ops to look into the DS; it is the most successful long-term solution. Check out http://www.duodenalswitch.com
   — Chris T.