Medica Insurance

Does anyone have medica for insurance and how have your experiences with them been?

I HAD Medica when I had WLS - They were no problem!  I submitted my request to my clinic on January 17th, had surgery April 27th.

That having been said, your employer could have stipulations of their own attached to WLS, as could the clinic you choose - but for me, it was a breeze!

I have MCHA, which is part of Medica and I had no problems... everything went relatively quick.

I have MCHA also. did you have to do 3 months with a dietician?

 I also have MCHA Medica and will have my Ins approval filed on the the 11th or 12th of Nov and have my fingers crossed!  I want to have the surgery before the end of the yr!   So far no problems as I have been dx'd with Sleep Apnea last month.  It's a Co-Morbidity.  The WLS program co orodinator swears they won't make me do the 3 month diet thing.  I've done the Psych thing, the sleep dx, saw my Cardiologist etc.  I'm zooming right along.

Have you done any of those things yet?  Do you  have a Co-Morbidity?  And is your BMI over 40?

I am going through Fairview WLS with Dr Benn.

Hope this helps.

I have a BMI of 42.5, but I don't have any co-morbidities. So far I have only done the psych thing and am waiting to see the dietician next month. I really don't want to do 3 months of the diet. I would like it asap too.

We all wanted to wake up 100 pounds lighter TOMORROW!!!
 
But have patience.  If you have hoops to jump through, jump through them.  It's worth it.

 I have Medica Choice. It appears that each contract is different, but shares the same requirements if WLS is covered. BMI of 35 or over with co-morbidities, 40 without.  Initially I was turned down because my BMI was slightly less than 35 when I started. Medica advised that I go through the process and then resubmit. They required three visits with a dietitian which at Fargo Meritcare was in a group setting. They wouldn't pay for the group, so that was out of pocket. They also required a meeting with psych and psych testing which was covered. My BMI was barely above 35 after I had completed all of the requirements six months later. The surgical team submitted the paperwork along with my list of co-morbidities AFTER I had done all of the training and psych and I was approved in less than a week.

All in all Medica was a breeze compared to some of the horror stories of insurance abuse and neglect that some have recounted. My procedure had a co-pay, but I had already hit my limit so the entire deal cost 3 X $45 for the dietary training groups and that was it.

At first I was disappointed that I had to do 3 extra dietitian visits, when I finally decided that this surgery was right for me, I wanted it NOW!  However, it's really been a blessing.  I have so much more information now and feel better prepared for my upcoming surgery. 

If the extra visits is what you have to do, embrace it and take in all the information they give you.  it will only help you in the end!