Unitedhealthcare choice anyone have this insurance?

Hi, my name is Dawn and I had the vbg done in nov., 2000 and I just found out I have a leak and my surgeon from Minnesota wants me to have the bypass rny. I have unitedhealthcare florida and wanted to know if anyone has this insurance and may have had the surgery? i need basically a revision, they were not the insurance I had then, as I lived in Minnesota at the time. I have found Dr. Keith Kim at Celebration hospital and possibly will see what he can do. I just wanted to see how Unitedhealthcare is for paying...Thanks much fo ryour time. Dawn

I don't have that insurance but by what I've read and hear stories of, you won't have any problems even with a revision. Good luck, Mike

Thanks Mike.. I hope all sails smooth. It's hard when you have all ready went through this all most six years ago and now here I am doing it again. I would have never thought...Thanks for your time in posting me a reply. Dawn

Hi there...you can check with Patrice at Surgical Associates of Marion County (352)368-2828. I have United Healthcare HMO and PPO and they accept both. AND Dr. Overcash has done a ton of revisions!! Good luck!

Thanks soooo much for your reply, I really think it is great how people help people here on the site. It makes me so thrilled when I get a response back from you wonderful people. =) I know the lady that does my hair one of her employees had Dr. Overcash. I did think of Dr Kim at Celebration as he has had a lot of great great reviews. Plus I live in Clermont and Celebration is not to far, I also really like it there. I had my upper GI there when they found the leak in April. By chance do you know or can you advise me about leaks and how long can you go with a leak or breakdown and will it cause any damage???? Just thought I would ask, maybe you now something. Thanks again for your reply. Enjoy your day, Dawn

I have United health care and didn't have any problems at all getting approved for 2 weight loss surgeries. My first one was done 7/13/05 and then I had a revision 5/31/06. I have United Health Care EPO. They have been absolutley wonderful with all of my health problems. As a matter of fact just before my second wls surgery they bought me a new insulin pump which was about $20,000.00. And they have also paid for 8 other surgeries I have had to had while having this insurance!! I LOVE my insurance company!!! Jo Ann

Hi Jo Ann, Thanks for the reply back. When you had the revision what did the insurance company have you do to prpare or tests or anything? I was wondering what all we have to do with a revision. Since we have the same insurance and you went through it I thought I would ask you. I looked up in my healthcare book for United and it said they wouldn't pay for weight loss surgeries, that's why I was worried, but I think they word it right the doctors office or something to get it to pay. I am scared about the revision form a band vbg to bypass....Thanks for your time, Dawn

Hi Dawn, I didn't have to do any tests of any kind for my revision. The doctor just submitted my paperwork to the insurance company and they approved it. I was having medical complications so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. The insurance is through my husbands job and thank god they pay for everything. Some United plans do not pay for wls but it's up to the job if they have an exclusion or not, if they do you can always appeal it. If they do say there is an exclusion make sure you see it in writing and not take someones word for it. Every insurance plan is different. Now a friend of mine is trying to get a revision from the band to RNY, but she has to do everything all over again from the begining, which totally sucks, but she is not having any form of medical complications, the band is just not working for her. So I'm not sure if having complications makes things a little different. I would check with your Human Resource department to make sure they didn't exclude wls from their plan, if they did you can ask them to change it or make an exception. I do know a person who had United and her company didn't pay for wls in their insurance plan but she appealed to her company and when new enrollment came around they added into the plan. So there are options out there. Just don't give up and never take NO for an answer!! Fight for what you want and deserve!! If you ever need to talk or have any other questions please feel free to e mail me at anytime. I hope this helps you out some!! Good luck!! Keep in touch! Jo Ann