anyone have united healthcare and go to Dr Giovanni or Dr. Pohl?

I have united halthcare for state of RI and was wondering how quickly or not they approve the surgery?  I have one more final visit with the nutrionist next monday and then I cna make my final visit/appoinmnet with the dr. office.

The insurnace will be my final hurdle in htis process!!

 

Thanks

Jenn

I had my surgery with Dr Pohl in May of 08.  I have United Health and got approved very quickly.  The letter I received was dated the day after the office submitted it.  Don't know if this is normal or not. 
Good luck.
Amy

Hello Jen!  I also have UHC but am having suregery with a different surgeon.  For me, it took UHC about a month from when the office submitted the paperwork.  UHC claimed that they didnt have the paperwork when i called about 3 weeks after it was submitted but somehow miraculously found it the next day.  From that point it was about 4 days to approval and about 5 more business days for me to recieve the approval letter.  if you feel the need to follow up with UHC (and I did), try not to waste your time with customer service.  ask for the care coordination group.  i hope this helps.  Good luck!

Hi Jenn!  I work for the state and have UHC.  I also am a patient of Dr. G.  I would call Dr. G's office and they would say that they hadn't heard from UHC.  I called the insurance company on an unrelated matter and while I had them on the phone I asked.  She said that I had been approved.  So I knew I had been approved before I heard from the surgeons office.  Also, I had changed my mind later on type of surgery I wanted.  I had originally started for the lapband and then later after I had all the tests done, I went to see Dr. G for my second appt.   This is the appointment that usually you get the date of surgery.  I told her that i changed my mind and wanted the gastric bypass.  WELL.... they had to resubmit everything to UHC for approval for THAT surgery.  So that delayed my surgery.  Lesson learned. You are only approved for that specific surgery.
Good luck to you!   Hope you get a speedy approval!!
Eldy

hey jenn,

i have uhc and was approved for my surgery within a week of submitting everything. i called the insurance company and they told me i was approved. it was just a matter or dr. pohl's office getting the paperwork back and calling me. thaaat took some time. waiting is the worst part. good luck!

Thanks for the help!  The waiting game does stink.  I just passed my pysch eval and have my last nutrition visit beofre I can call the doctor's office for my second visit!  I hope all goes well and I don't have a long approval time!

 

Thanks

Jenn