Question:
I have been hearing that Indiana passed a law about surgery

Does anyone know if it is true that Indiana passed a law that if Bariatric Surgery is medically necessary, that the insurance carriers must approve the surgery? If it is true, where do I get a copy of it?    — Kelli B. (posted on September 22, 2000)

September 22, 2000
The surgeon that did my WLS is in Indiana. I believe his office is in Jeffersonville, IN. His staff is up on all the latest insurance data. Give them a call. His name is Dr. Mark Shina (812) 282-3930. He has an insurance specialist on his staff. Good Luck
   — ann A.

September 22, 2000
It is true that Indiana passed a law to make Bariatric Surgery more available to it's citizens. If you are a state employee, this is very good news, since your insurance policy should cover WLS as long as you meet certain criteria. If you have insurance through another employer, the law is not quite so clear. The insurance company must offer WLS coverage, but that doesn't mean your employer has to buy WLS coverage. Your employer can still get a cheaper policy for it's employees that excludes WLS. The law also provides guidelines for how quickly the insurance company is supposed to make it's decisions. Here is a link to the text of the law. http://www.state.in.us/serv/lsa_billinfo?year=2000&request=getBill&docno=212
   — Lynn K.