Question:
Anyone considering/had WLS have Union Insurance?

I currently waiting pre-approval from my husbands insurance. He's in the union. Anyone else have a union/Local insurance. What was your outcome? Where you approved first try? Denial? Any information would be helpful. Thank you.    — Renee C. (posted on April 10, 2001)

April 9, 2001
HI:)my husband is part of the teamsters union, and i got aproved no problem, we have aetna and blue cross and the contract seems pretty good , it usually is with unions, but you may need to check your policy to find out for sure, you can call your insurance company to find out if it is coverd , and if they say it is medicaly nessary, they should cover no problem, hope this helps:)
   — sandra M.

April 10, 2001
My husband is a Teamster and I was denied...even after several appeals. I was able to obtain other insurance through my employer. The union did some real "shady" things regarding my approval. They have refused to give me the name(s) of the physicians consulted on my case and cannot back up their "claims" made my denial letter. They told me that "many people choose to have this surgery reversed because they cannot cope", "there are other less-invasive ways to loose weight", "the Board Of Trustees is of the opinion this is an unsafe procedure"...it goes on and on. They didn't give me a Full and Fair Review which is my right under ERISA law. The Department of Labor has gotten involved with them at this point. Even though I've had my surgery - these guys can't keep doing this - it's not fair. My husband works for UPS and if we lived in Southern California instead of Northern California - this surgery would have been covered. It just depends on your "local"...Good luck!
   — T.L. S.

April 10, 2001
Renee, My husband works for Verizon and part of IBEW. Prior to 1/1/01 we had an exclusion clause for any kind of weight loss assistance. Whether medical or surgical. However, My husband also has a "me too" clause. In Aug. of this past year another division went on strike. They had coverage for weight loss/surgery as part of the bargaining clauses. It was accepted and as of 1/1/01 we were covered. We have Aetna UsHealthcare. I was approved immediately for RNY however I medically can't have that surgery due to a prior surgery for Acid Reflux. I was originly denied for BPD/Ds but my surgeon got that overturned the next day! I'm scheduled for surgery at 8am tmo(4/11). If your union dsn't have it yet have your husband and whoever approach the executive board of the union and try to get it at bargaining time. Just because it may not be now dsn't mean it can't be added at the next contract negotiation(if that applies for you) Best wishes
   — Linda M.

April 10, 2001
I have Aetna USHC through the National Writer's Union, which falls under the UAW Union. I was approved in 4 days and have surgery in the morning at 11:30. Good Luck!!
   — Laura S.

April 10, 2001
I'm in the IATSE. I have ULLICO - Ullicare/Devon PPO. I know three people who have had the surgery who have Ullico. Crossing my fingers that they will approve me.
   — Elizabeth A.