United Healthcare of Fla is terrible

UHC is now listing wls as an exclusion and there isn't any appeal that will work to get it paid for. If only I could win the lottery. Oh well, since I can't get the wls surgery paid for they will have to pay for everything else that the wls would have helped. I have an appointment with the detmatologist tomorrow then I go to the orthopaedic dr next week to get the arthritis in lower back, knees, ankles and toes fixed. Thar should be very costly. I take 2 kinds of blood pressure medicine and I might as well have my sinus problems fixed so I don't have to take 4 rx's a day for sinus. I'll probably have to go to a psychologist for the depression since I can't have the surgery. Might as well get the gerd problem and hiatial hernia problem looked at also and since I'm over 50 the upper GI and lower GI might as well be done. I can see at least $100,000 worth of surgery and procedures ahead. I might through in a dietion since I need to learn to eat better so I can lose weight. My primary care dr sees me every few weeks for my high blood pressure which is 152/78 as he is trying to get it under control. And to think the surgery would have been $20,000. Oh well I have no other choice. Thanks for letting me vent, BettyC

Betty, I am so sorry to hear about your problems with UHC. It must be your particular type of plan because I did not have any problems. I was approved in a week. Is there are chance for an appeal or have you already done that? It is very discouraging to know that they have the power to change your life and they just wont do the right thing. Its really hard to imagine that with all of the documented problem that you have that they cannot see how it would be the right thing to do to approve you. Please keep me posted on your progress. Elaine

bad news...UHC probably won't pay for enough psych visits and they won't pay for the dietician. I am FED up with UHC and have only had it for 2 months. Again today I see they have not paid a claim, and I just didn't feel like calling and asking why the hell not. It is a claim from the pathology department while I was hospitalized. I am paying $60 a week for occupational therapy and just realized none of it is going towards my maximum out of pocket. I thought once I paid $200 I would be at my $2500 total max and wouldn't have to pay anymore...but that isn't so. I see a doctor everyweek to be monitored on coumadin so I'm averaging about $80 a week. I can't afford this...and OT wants to see me for 6 months. I was told by UHC, 20 visits no option for more. I am still appealing that...I have 20 OT and 20 PT but they won't let me use the PT for OT...why not????

They do pay for psych. I called the main number and they gave me another number. They gave me the psychs in my area. They call it United Mental Health. The number is 1 800 388 2227. After they gave me a few names and numbers over the phone. I called around and made an appointment with the one that would give the closest appointment date. Then as I was instructed I called back . I gave them the name of psych. and appointment date. They gave me a code number and said that they approved me for six visits. I only needed on. I only had to paid the co pay of $20.00. I hope this will help you. United is a good company but they just want to make sure that you are in need. I called repeatedly and they kept saying it was not covered but then they broke down and told me to send in all the papers that will support medicallly needed

UHC WON'T PAY FOR PSYCH VISITIS IF YOU STATE THAT YOURPROBLEM IS YOUR WEIGHT, GOTTA MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT IS JUST DEPRESSION, OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NOT WEIGHT ONLY RELATED... FLAVIA

Sorry to hear that Betty. It is your policy that has the exclusion. I have UHC and am having WLS.

Let me correct this. The policy my employer carries with UHC is terrible. I didn't realize they were different. Where I work if you get hurt on the job after so long a time you are put on family leave and given so many weeks to come back to work and if you are still cannot come back because of your injury you are fired. Thanks everyone. Maybe next year the policy will change but it doesn't seem very likely. BettyC

OK, now I'm confused... Are you talking about Workman's Comp insurance or your own individual health insurance with United? Maybe you are just making a point about your company's policy on WC. Sorry, it's still early Keep in mind, there are several forms of United- POS I, POS II, etc. If your particular United coverage wont cover WLS, have you considered looking into Vocational Rehab? Others on here have had luck getting insurance approved thru them or you can hire a WLS atty. United isnt the only company that has this exclusion on some of it's plans, Aetna and BC/BS do too. Hopefully, that will change some day. Hang in there, Amy

I am sorry Betty. I was in the same situaition with UHC, they had a WLS exlusion and I had to go to Mexico for my surgery with DR. Aceves. (www.mexicolapband.com he does the band and RNY) Now my new insurance Aetna covers WLS but I already have it done and it cost me $8200. Keep in mind that there are other options out there. ttfn Sari

Thanks Sari for the info, I don't have $8200. so I can't go to Mexico. The pictures of you look great and you can definitely see the weight loss. Your daughter is beautiful. Keep in touch. Thanks, Betty