| Self-funded plans give the employers a lot of say about what they will cover. In our office, we're self-funded, and a couple of years ago a lady had breast reduction due to severe back and neck problems. The next calendar year, we got a memo stating that breast reduction was no longer covered under our plan, regardless of medical necessity.
Another year a woman had gastric bypass and the next year we got a memo stating that no weight loss procedures or medications would be covered under our plan, again regardless of medical necessity.
Our docs routinely mention how much they've had to pay for various surgeries and meds for employees. I agree that this should be handled by an outside source, but the "powers that be" will still know the medical costs of each employee.
I'd much rather be under a traditional insurance plan.
__________________ T2, diagnosed 8/31/06.
Byetta 5 mcg
HCTZ 12.5 mg every other day for BP
Enalapril 20 mg 1 daily (ace-inhibitor)
Lower carb dieter (approx. 75 total carbs/day, more on weekends), taking chromium, multivitamin and fish oil tablets Initial A1C 8/06: 9.6
11/06: 6.2.
03/07: 5.3
06/07: 5.4
10/07: 5.3
05/08: 6.2 (right after dealing with shingles and bronchitis)  | 
