Help me My fellow Floridains!!!!

Running out of time with Insurance covering wls for this year is there any other options i dont know about some of you said there is but tell me what i need to do so i can have my ducks in a row, i was already aproved this year for October 29th but it was canceled two days before surgery due to low iron in my blood now we r working on getting iron back to normal level for surgery but dont think im going to make it before 12-31-04 and i herd United healthcare is droping it for 2005 i have pos select plus and im despret for Man am i really getting beat up this year no cloths bc i gained too much weight now a year of my life trying to have this surgery.....

Neil my advise is to call your insurance. Not all UHC policies are dropping the coverage, depends on your policy. Also since you have had your surgury approved, if they are dropping it, ask if you are grandfathered in. Only they can answer these questions. Prayers coming your way Neil.

Neil, If you were already approved and then you have to wait until after the exclusion, you should still be able to be "grandfathered in". I had put in for surgery in April '04 and was denied due to not having the 6 month supervised diet. Anyway, I got my appeal sent in mid October and freaked when I found that an exclusion had gone into effect the 1st of October. I fought it and they could not deny me on those grounds because I had originally submitted before the exclusion came into effect. As of last night, I am approved and even if I cannot have the surgery until the 1st of the year, they have to honor it. DO NOT GIVEUP! My prayers will be with you! Pat

I too...plan on having surgery..now I'm just waiting to have my sleep apnea test...i have a scheduled appointment for next thursday...can't wait and then all goes to my insurance company which is Cigna....ppo ....well wish you luck...I'll keep you in my prayers,,,,

Neil, I agree that you need to call UHC and talk to a care co-ordinator and find out if 1. they will still honor the approval for you and 2. is your particular plan still covering the procedure in 2005. I have UHC Select POS and I have not heard that they will not cover it in 2005 Good luck to you but get on it since times running out. Elaine

Neil, check with your insurance company about how long the approval is good for. My insurance company told me their approval was good for 90 days. Perhaps you can get everything in order within the 90-day timeframe and still have the surgery. It's worth a call. Good luck. Lynn P.

Thanks so much for all of u wonderful people, your prayers are all i ask and the advise is a bonus!I will call UHC asap and hopefully by next week my blood doctor tells me some good new then i can relay the message to Dr Rabazas office!

Neil,, I have United pos plan and yes starting next year there is no coverage for wls unless the company you work for purchases a rider policy that covers it. My fiance just got all his paperwork submitted this week and we are trying to beat the clock also,, so I totally understand the stress of getting this done,, Follow your dr.s advice to get your bloodwork in order to a tee,,, I wish you all the luck,,, Christy

2 words. Vocational Rehab.

I suggested Vocational Rehab to Neil on the Main board yesterday morning. Maybe someone can give him the website or a suggestion on how you start the process with them. I know someone else on here was "pulling her hair out" because she was getting transferred from one dept to another and not getting to the right dept for answers. ANYONE who knows how to start with VR, please help educate all of us so we can offer that suggestion to those struggling with approval in the future. Amy