Chapter Updates

June 19, 2022

Chapter Updates

2019-2020

  • Advocacy efforts/correspondence with BCBS Alabama by officers regarding access issues for patients.
  • We are continuing efforts to develop contacts to advocate for coverage for patients with BCBS of Alabama insurance products.

2018-2019

  • Advocacy efforts/ correspondence with BCBS Alabama by officers regarding access issues for patients
  • Alabama ACA Exchange products do not cover bariatric surgery; State Insurance Commissioner has stated he has no power to change this as Alabama relies on the Federal exchange

2016

  • We are continuing efforts to develop contacts to advocate for coverage for patients with BCBS of Alabama insurance products.
  • BCBS Alabama recently reviewed Policy #53, Surgical Management of Morbid Obesity, which continues the 6 month weight loss requirement and places further restrictions on gastric band removal and concomitant hiatal hernia repair. We provided information/literature to support removing the 6 month weight loss program requirement, band restrictions and hiatal hernia repair restrictions. We were partially successful, as BCBS yielded on the hiatal hernia language, but did not change the other two issues.
  • Alabama ACA Exchange products do not cover bariatric surgery – State Insurance Commissioner has stated he has no power to change this as Alabama relies on the Federal exchange; this is not expected to change until after this election cycle.

2015

  • Advocacy efforts/correspondence with BCBS Alabama by officers regarding access issues for patients.
  • We are currently working on developing contacts to advocate for coverage for patients with Alabama ACA Exchange products as Alabama ACA Exchange products do not cover bariatric surgery.
  • BCBS Alabama is currently reviewing Policy #53, Surgical Management of Morbid Obesity; we have provided information/literature to support removing the 6 month weight loss program requirement.

2014