My husband works for AT&T as a retail sales consultant. He would like to get sleeved and contacted his healthcare provider, United Healthcare, twice. They told him his plan does not offer coverage for WLS. He knows a few managers at AT&T who've had the the sleeve and they were covered. At the time he signed up for insurance last year, he went went the cheapest/highest deductible option.

At this point, we are hoping the issue is that he just chose the wrong health coverage for WLS, and are wondering if he can choose a better plan in November. However, we are also considering that maybe this coverage is only available for managers and others higher-ups at At&t.

I know UHC offers WLS through Optim Health because I have it through my state job and am getting sleeved in two weeks. We are in Florida, if that makes a difference.

Could someone shed some light on why he isn't currently covered for WLS?

Did he look at the coverage options for all of the plans? I know people that are not managers at ATT that have WLS covered but they are not in Florida.

We will have to take a look again in October/November. At this point, we're wondering more if it is even possible as a non-manager, but your information gives me hope.

I was just scrolling through so I don't know how old this is. But my husband works for AT&T and we have always chose BCBS of IL and they cover it. The coordinator in the office said they approve easy and quick especially if you have a BMI over 40. Just a note we live in GA, BCBS of IL is one of the 3 insurance's we have to choose from. Everyone gets the exact same when it comes to healthcare. It might be the health insurance you chose. What kind of information did the doc office give you?

On 8/4/2017 at 0:44 PM, Bobcats said:

We will have to take a look again in October/November. At this point, we're wondering more if it is even possible as a non-manager, but your information gives me hope.

I think it is because you are in Florida more than management level. WLS is definitely covered for ATT employees at all levels in Illinois.

WLS is not considered and essential service by the state of Florida, so insurance is less likely to cover it.

Plus Florida falls under the old Southern Bell, and they never had as good of benefits as Ameritech.

Hi all, I just wanted to follow up with this topic as my husband is back in his enrollment period with AT&T in Florida. He called everyone under the sun TWICE (AT&T benefits, United Healthcare, Optim) and no, there is no healthcare coverage that offers WLS for sales reps. As I said before, his manager got the coverage, so if you are a higher-up in FL you should have coverage for WLS.

Luckily, we learned that for $30 more per month than he was paying at AT&T he can be added to my insurance which will cover WLS. It stinks, but it’s a small price to pay over the course of one year for this surgery!

Hi all, I just wanted to follow up with this topic as my husband is back in his enrollment period with AT&T in Florida. He called everyone under the sun TWICE (AT&T benefits, United Healthcare, Optim) and no, there is no healthcare coverage that offers WLS for sales reps. As I said before, his manager got the coverage, so if you are a higher-up in FL you should have coverage for WLS.
Luckily, we learned that for $30 more per month than he was paying at AT&T he can be added to my insurance which will cover WLS. It stinks, but it’s a small price to pay over the course of one year for this surgery!

I'm so sorry. If there was a dislike button I would click it on it. My husband works in the field as a service tech for AT&T so mine is covered. I'm just waiting on BCBS now. Uughhh worst part. But at least you found a way and I really hope it works out.


Best wishes!

Dotty Cole