Incorporated May 2012
Mission Statement
To study morbid obesity and advance the art and science of bariatric surgery by:
- Making recommendations, providing testimony, and engaging in such advocacy activities which affect bariatric surgeons;
- Encouragement of its members to pursue investigations both in the clinic and laboratory;
- Interchange of ideas, information and experience pertaining to bariatric surgery
- Establishment and promotion of guidelines for patient selection and care;
- Promotion of improved perioperative and long-term care of patients and the reduction of patient risk;
- Fostering of educational programs for physicians, paramedical persons and lay people;
- Promotion of outcome studies and quality assurance; and
- Keeping abreast of governmental activities, regulations, laws, proposed regulations and proposed legislation, whether national, state or local, which affect bariatric surgeons.
Executive Officers
President: Forrest Ringold, MD FACS
Past Presidents: Kenneth Todd Foreman, MD FASMBS; Richard Stahl, MD
Vice President: Cameron Askew, MD
Treasurer/Secretary: Parham Mora, MD
STAR (State Access to Care Representative): Danuel Laan, MD FASMBS
Contact
Kracke Building 428
1530 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0016
Chapter Meetings & Updates
No meeting information at this time.
2022-2023
- Advocacy efforts/ correspondence with BCBS Alabama by officers regarding access issues for patients
- State of Alabama has a new Obesity Advocacy Coalition. Board members are reaching out to this coalition to become involved with state efforts.
- Meeting held on February 28, 2022 regarding TROI policy (medicare approval of prescription weight loss drugs)
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.
Support Groups
Decatur
- Parkway Medical Center, 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00PM
Huntsville
- Crestwood Medical Center, 1st Thursday of the month at 6:00PM
Huntsville Hospital – multiple, see website
Florence
- Cross Point Church, 1st Monday of the month at 6:30PM
Mobile
- Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM
- (Virtual) Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM
Daphne
- Daphne Public Library every other 4th Thursday at 6:00 PM
(There are support groups at most of the other hospitals in the state with bariatric programs, not yet reported to the chapter.)