insurance Question?

 My insurance may change jan. 2010 from Kaiser to blue cross anthem ppo. this insurance  is through SISC ( self-insured schools of calif.). My union is voting to drop our insurance with PERS and go with new insurance thru SISC.
My question is, has anyone had surgery and had this insurance. I can not find out if it covers gastric by-pass surgery. The insurance web site only allows members to view that info. Once our union votes and passes to change our coverage no other plans will be offered for 5 years.
I would really appreciate feed-back if you are familiar with this insurance.
thanks , shelly

Hi Shelly,

I can't answer on the full question, but I can tell you that Anthem Blue Cross PPO does cover WLS.  The only way your plan wouldn't cover it is if the SISC puts in a special exclusion of it and probably even Blue Cross can't answer that question for you at this point. 

Have you started the process with Kaiser yet?  If you have you should be able to complete everything by the end of the year.  If not, you'll just have to wait and see what the new coverage will allow.

Hope it all works out for you.

Stephanie

I had them 2 1/2 years ago, and they did then.  Being a PPO, there was no problem getting approved.  I didn't need a referral to a WL doc, I just found one I wanted to go to and made an appointment.  I more than, met any requirements, my BMI was over 50.  When you get the insurance, give them a call, talk to them, and you should be on the road without too much problems.

Good luck, Diane