ANGRY!

Hi Everyone, I just found out that United Health Care denied my surgery. They're stating that there was a "ryder" in my insurance that my company didn't pick up. During this whole process, with my testing, approvals for the testing etc...I would ask SPECIFICALLY if there were any clauses that I needed to be aware of or anything that would hold up the surgery. Each time I was told that the surgery was 100% covered under my policy as long as I "met the criteria" with a BMI of 41 or higher...Mine is about 46-47. So now comes the "appeal" process that can take upto 45 days...I am so hurt, angry & frustrated...(Ok yes I cried.) all the steps taken to get to this point were smooth sailing..it was TOO good to be true that there wouldn't be any hickups towards the end of my journey. I'm thinking of the payment plan with St. Francis & Drs B's office...has anyone gone this route...& when everything is said & done how much were the payments or did you pay completely out of pocket?? I'm SO ANGRY! For people like us *****ally need the surgery...this is soooo disheartening. My husband is just as angry & disappointed for me...we have alot to discuss tonight...SIGH... Thanks everyone, Mickey

Mickey, I too was/am in the same spot you are in with United HealthCare. I was denied for the same reason. I did hire an attorney and am in the process of the appeal - so really can't say much regarding that - But I am also having the surgery next week due to registering as a self pay. UHC paid for my pre-op appointments, so pretty much all I am paying for is my surgery. Total is about $15,000.00 for surgery only (If you self pay from beginning to end at my hospital, it is about $25,000 total) I actually have to put my deposit of $12,000.00 down tomorrow. And I will be billed the rest. This is all in a nut shell. If you have specific questions I would be more than happy to answer them, please email me. Good luck! Phyllis