UHC APPROVAL!

Hello all, It's been a while and somewhat of a roller coaster ride. I am here to tell you I have arrived! UHC approved my surgery (roux en y) with Dr. Timothy Farrell of Chapel Hill on March 1, 2007. I'm now waiting on confirmation letters. I called today and they said it could take up to 15 days. I pray I don't end up into April, but it looks that way. I can't believe I finally made it. UHC is a trip. I get totally different stories from different folks I talk to. First was told I was approved with a surgery date of March 20. That was untrue. I was found eligible. The surgery date is bogus. I found out a week later my packet was still in clinical review. UHC received my packet Feb 6. It's been a long and crazy month! Diane in Haw River

I have UHC also. I called them everyday until I go approval. It only took 2 weeks. I got submitted on Feb. 7, approved on the 25 and surgery on March 1.

I trust the rest of your ride will be great. May God bless. Diane

Diane, I was so excited to read your post. I too am in the process with Dr. Farrell's office and I have tons of questions. Is there a support group? Once you see the doctor for the first time (my first appointment with his office is April 2nd, I have already seen the psychiatrist, the nutritionist, the endocrinologist) what else do they have you do and how long before you got your approval? I'm assuming UHC is your insurance and it has been in their hands for review? I hope you don't mind all the questions...you are the first person I have seen post that is also going to Chapel Hill. I would love it if you would email me. Good luck with your surgery. You must be so excited to be so close to your new beginning. Keep us posted!

Hi Ethel, I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was excited as well, when I read your post! This is fantastic! We can go through this together. Wouldn't it be great if we lived close by! I live in Haw River, very close to Mebane. We have a support group meeting once a month. Karen Colton, Dr. Farrell's nurse should send you a flyer for March's meeting. It is a great time for all! We really do have fun. My email address is [email protected] My home phone is 336-578-2923 cell 919-478-9111 I work 3rd shift so I am home during the day. Don't worry about waking me because I don't have a phone in my bedroom. My voicemail is with my cell phone if you would like to leave a message. From reading your post it seems like you have 2 more appointments. One with Dr. O'Connell and one with Dr. Overby. Once those are completed they wil take some more blood (well they did for me) and Karen puts together your packet. Then the packet goes to finance and they attach a proposed cost sheet (I think) and forward it to your insurance. My insurance company United HealthCare (UHC) received this packet on February 6. I was approved on March 1, and I received my confirmation letter on March 7. Yes, it took a whole month for me. But no so for others. Some get it done within 2 weeks or less. I faxed the letter to Karen yesterday, March 8 and she called me with an appointment with Dr. Farrell (my final presurgical appt!!!!!) on March 26. I am sure I will be having my surgery some time in April. Ethel, I would be happy to let you know when the next support group meeting is. Do you mind telling me where you live? Keep well~ Blessings, Diane

Congrats! I was initially approved but then denied when ready for surgery. Wake County Government has a written exclusionary clause that will not pay for any bariatric surgery. They are going to pay for the treatments and appointments, because they gave incorrect information on the front end, but then one week away from the surgery, they advised my doctor that WLS is not a covered benefit :-@. So now I am on a one-woman crusade to get this to be a covered benefit for Wake County employees.

Congratulations on your WIN!!!!