UT system insurance rant

Just found out today that the UT system is adding a specific $5000 deductible for Bariatric Surgery to our insurance plan for next year.   BCBS UT Select.   I think that is so wrong, there is a general $350 deductible for everything else.  But if you want WLS you have to fork out $5000 bucks up front and there is no grandfathering if you had already started the process but aren't lucky enough to have the surgery before Sept. 1!   Why does this seem totally discriminatory to me, why is it that a life saving surgery like WLS is treated like it's a luxury that someone wants?  Oh and to twist the knife in just a little deeper that $5000 bucks isnt applied toward the general deductible nor is any of the general deductible that you may have paid applied to the $5000.   Dam I just want to go and scream at someone.  So glad I had my surgery years ago and I've thought about a revision but not at that price.  This is just wrong people! 

Lots of companies are doing this. 
I got lucky, I had surgery on 11/28/05 and my insurance paid for 'medically necessary' WLS just like any other surgery, which was 80%.  On 01/01/06 they changed to only pay 50% for 'medically necessary' WLS.  If you don't have any co-morbidities they won't pay a penny, they don't care how much you weigh.

I read about this on another forum yesterday. Seems it's several of the BCBS policies, not just UT. I haven't checked mine but am so glad I'm through the process, that would be hard money to find right now.

Many organization are having to re-think their insurance coverage and cost thanks to the healthcare reform bill that passed earlier in the year. My company is having all employees provide proof of all dependents on their insurance. The sad thing is many insurances think people are trying to use WLS as a short cut to losing weight. The siimple fact healthcare cost are in the process of going up and companies are trying to trim their budgets and have employees cover more of the cost. Some companies have created incentives to get employees to the gym by arranging for discounts, sending out health and nutrition information in newsletters, creating incentatives to get employees to seek routine physical and test to catch health problems early. The sad thing is obesity is at epidemic preportions and I believe the number of morbid obese is  relatively high. I know I have a sister that would qualify but does not have insurance. The insurance issue is going to get worst before it gets better and we nay be finding ourselves paying more for basic healthcare. Insurance companies want you to have tried everything else before resorting to weight loss surgery because with all surgeries there are risk involved. I do not understand why your insurance is wanting you to pay so much for the surgery it seems like they want you to pay for half of it. I wish luck and hopefully you can get you surgery in before the new deductible goes into affect.

I have BCBS Health Select which is basically the same thing.  My insurance will start paying for the VSG surgery on Sept. 1 for active employees and I've just retired.  I just can't catch a break it seems.
Geeze!!!!!  I'm going to self-pay and go to Mexico!

Pattie

I have BCBS for Teachers. I am scheduled for July 6th. Next year they wont cover ANY WLS with my plan. I would have to go up to the top plan and with a 7% increase for next year, I will have trouble paying for the plan I am on now.

I just wish I knew BEFORE how much total this is going to cost. (too many different people to pay) 

I am glad I already had my surgery.  My co-pay was $200 for the surgery and if I had it this year I would be looking at $3000 out-of-pocket.  Pretty big difference - and I haven't changed employers - just coverage.

Is there a waiting period attached to the $5000? I'd rather pay the five grand than wait two years. I am sure there is some funny stipulation attached to my insurance plan also:(

My company has started a new program to save costs.  Employees had to fill out a health questionnaire to get lower cost preiumum and co pays.  We then had to have a meeting with a health professional to go over our quiestnaire.  From there you figure out things you need to change to improve your health.  Each step earns poijnts and you mush have points - 1,000 per year to be elibible for the next year.  Each year the steps will escalate.