Which insurance?

Hi, My insurance under my employer has weight loss surgery as a plan exclusion unless it's prior to a transplant or if it's life threatening. I'm looking for another insurance plan, preferably United Health as Barix Clinic is in the network. I contacted GoldenRule, the broker for United Health in Ohio and they have a clause in their general exclusion that weight loss surgery is not covered if for cosmetic reasons, nothing about if there are co-morbidities. When I called the broker, they said that United Health does not cover gastric bypass at all as it is an elective surgery however I heard there are a lot of patients that are with United Health Care and got it approved. If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions, please let me know.  Thanks in advance.

I had UHC PPO and was covered with no problems at all, and they cover all of the major procedures, too! That being said, I DO know that they will write a policy with an exclusion if the customer (employer) wants to save on premiums.

BTW -- wls shouldn't be covered for cosmetic reasons.  It's a medical necessity.  Sorry, just had to point out the DUH in that explanation they gave you.

Thanks Valerie.. I totally agree it's a medical necessity but I had to check since the broker specifically mentioned that they don't cover it since they consider it to be an elective surgery but we shall see how it goes. There is no way on trying to get it approved under my employers plan since they specifically mentioned that I have to be prior to death before approving it, I have to try it by getting my own insurance without any employer help.  I hope this works. :(

I know this is a few months out, but did you ever get the insurance thing taken care of? Wouldn't it be as cost effective to make payments to have the surgey done than to go out and buy insurance? Juat a thought, good luck.