California Judge Finds Certain Skin Removal Procedures Should Be Covered

(September 28, 2015, 12:32 PM EDT) -- ALAMEDA, Calif. — An Alameda County, Calif., Superior Court judge on Sept. 24 ruled that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. violated California Health and Safety Code Section 1367.63 by denying all requests for surgery to remove excess skin following bariatric surgery and that certain procedures should be covered where those “procedures would improve function or address an abnormal structure so as to create a more normal appearance to the extent possible” (Wendy Gallimore, et al. v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., et al., No. RG12616206, Calif. Super., Alameda Co.)....