Insurance coverage -Georgia

[Hello Bean 0]

I went to a seminar last night -Step 1 - and it looks like my insurance will not cover me. Does anyone have United Healthcare in Georgia and have coverage? Which companies in Georgia will cover??

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Bean, sorry to tell you that it's NOT the insurance company that decides whether lap band surgery is covered or not. It is entirely up to the employer when they put together the insurance package they will offer their employees. For example, I have BCBS of GA and I was not covered but my best friend (who works for a different employer) also had BDBS of GA and her surgery was covered.

It comes down to what your employer is willing to pay for. If you have a private policy, same thing. By specifically excluding weight loss surgery, my employer saved money on the group premiums. It's a small law firm that split from a bigger firm and starting out new, trying to control overhead, etc., it was entirely a business decision.

[skinigrl2b 1]

I've come across the same exact thing. The insurance company is required to offer the coverage, but the employer buying the policy, is not required to choose it as part of the plan. My insurance is through my husband's employer, one of the largest dialysis companies in the world, and they exclude any kind of weight loss programs-pills, surgery, nutritionist visits...etc.

It really sucks - especially when weight loss could help prevent alot of health problems. It seems like common sense to us, too bad the big guys at the top don't see it that way. :mad: