Legal Battle: Lawsuits Take Aim at Insurance Companies Over Weight-Loss Drugs and Surgery

Two insurance companies in Washington state are facing lawsuits for refusing to cover weight loss treatments, including new weight loss drugs and follow-up surgeries. In one case, a woman is suing her public employee plan for not covering weight loss drugs, while another woman is suing Regence BlueShield for declining coverage for her weight loss surgery. The lawsuits argue that denying coverage for weight loss treatments is discriminatory and violates Washington state law, which recognizes obesity as a disability. The plaintiffs claim that treating obesity now can save on future healthcare costs related to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and joint replacements. The lawsuits are seeking class action status to include others who have been denied coverage for similar weight loss treatments.