%#LoosingIt?!&-

Just an update to when I started this thread. I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, self-pay here in the U.S., with no additional insurance coverage. So far, so good. The self-pay contract with my doctor is not a problem (he covers all complications that may arise within 90 days), but it's the hospital I was worried about. I feel great. His office did not work with any of these insurance plans that others have mentioned.

I'm a HR Manager and deal with Fmla a lot. The Fmla form most often used is a federal form, Certification of Serious Health Condition. Google it and see specifically what it asks if you are curious. Your doctors or nurse will have to provide a diagnosis and 'major health condition which will make you unable to perform one or more major life activities' ie work.
You probably could get time off for preop testing that's required for the surgery. Your doctor just has to specify the dates that you'll need off in the paperwork
Here's the thing- the HR professional is legally bound by the same PHI ( private health information) regulations your doctors office is! You can absolutely tell them that you do not want your direct supervisor to know the details of your reason for FMLA. If they give you shit on this look up your rights ( or send me a message and I can help !)
I know that I personally won't be telling anyone anything more than " i'm intestinal surgery" Not a lie but they don't need to know my very private business!

I'm right with you- juts found out my insurance doesn't cover any WLS even though there are price quotes on my insurance website. My husbands doesn't either! Beyond upset and feel defeated. I felt like sleeve was my drop dead last option and I'd come to terms with it. Even gotten excited about it!
My plan is to casually research self pay in U.S. And Mexico. I won't make a decision until my 2016 insurance plan is announced because I've proposed WLS be added (maybe 50% chance they'll add it). I'm not opposed to getting a new job to switch ch insurance even but it's hard to ask in the interview - "by the way I want the job only if the insurance covers WLS. Oh and I'll be needing a few weeks off for recovery."
Doesn't sound like a viable plan but neither does going into major debt for the full pay option.

I'm a HR Manager and deal with Fmla a lot. The Fmla form most often used is a federal form, Certification of Serious Health Condition. Google it and see specifically what it asks if you are curious. Your doctors or nurse will have to provide a diagnosis and 'major health condition which will make you unable to perform one or more major life activities' ie work.
You probably could get time off for preop testing that's required for the surgery. Your doctor just has to specify the dates that you'll need off in the paperwork
Here's the thing- the HR professional is legally bound by the same PHI ( private health information) regulations your doctors office is! You can absolutely tell them that you do not want your direct supervisor to know the details of your reason for FMLA. If they give you shit on this look up your rights ( or send me a message and I can help !)
I know that I personally won't be telling anyone anything more than " i'm intestinal surgery" Not a lie but they don't need to know my very private business!

I'm a HR Manager and deal with Fmla a lot. The Fmla form most often used is a federal form, Certification of Serious Health Condition. Google it and see specifically what it asks if you are curious. Your doctors or nurse will have to provide a diagnosis and 'major health condition which will make you unable to perform one or more major life activities' ie work.
You probably could get time off for preop testing that's required for the surgery. Your doctor just has to specify the dates that you'll need off in the paperwork
Here's the thing- the HR professional is legally bound by the same PHI ( private health information) regulations your doctors office is! You can absolutely tell them that you do not want your direct supervisor to know the details of your reason for FMLA. If they give you shit on this look up your rights ( or send me a message and I can help !)
I know that I personally won't be telling anyone anything more than " i'm intestinal surgery" Not a lie but they don't need to know my very private business!

I'm a HR Manager and deal with Fmla a lot. The Fmla form most often used is a federal form, Certification of Serious Health Condition. Google it and see specifically what it asks if you are curious. Your doctors or nurse will have to provide a diagnosis and 'major health condition which will make you unable to perform one or more major life activities' ie work.
You probably could get time off for preop testing that's required for the surgery. Your doctor just has to specify the dates that you'll need off in the paperwork
Here's the thing- the HR professional is legally bound by the same PHI ( private health information) regulations your doctors office is! You can absolutely tell them that you do not want your direct supervisor to know the details of your reason for FMLA. If they give you shit on this look up your rights ( or send me a message and I can help !)
I know that I personally won't be telling anyone anything more than " i'm intestinal surgery" Not a lie but they don't need to know my very private business!

I guess I will start researching Mexico! I will still wait until I get details on my employer's 2016 benefits to see if it gets added. I was planning on waiting and doing 6 months dr observed weight loss, so it won't be prolonging the process.
So many Mexico questions now- are post-op complications covered by regular insurance either leaks or dehydration etc? do you meet the surgeon before your travel?
thanks all

I own my own busines and pay for my own medical insurance. My state opted out of WLS so unless I move to another state, there was no way insurance would cover my surgery no matter what my BMI or comorbidities. So I was off to Mexico! Best experience ever. Pain free, easy recovery, great communication and support from my surgeon's office. PCP takes care of follow up bloodwork. 19 months later....nearly 100 pounds lighter and feelin fabulous. Money well spent. (much better than the POS "affordable" health care act policy I am force to waste my money on).

I'm sorry that stinks! If my husbands insurance wouldn't have paid for mine I would have been off to Mexico no doubt! Is that an option?

I'm so terribly sorry that your hopes have been dashed. I wish there was something I could say to make it better.

This may be a silly question, but I can't find the answer anywhere. What qualifies as dr supervised weight loss?
*I'm just starting my research on sleeve surgery in Colorado. Thanks