could this be true???

I have UHC as my insurance provider and when I call they are saying to me that nothing is required (other than my BMI above 40) for them to approve my request?  Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

I wish!

Typically the reps will say that without knowing the full scope of getting approval for surgery.  Most all insurance companies except Aetna & Cigna only require a psyh eval and nutritional eval.  Aetna & Cigna require a 6  month supervised diet and records showing a 5 year history of being obese.

Update.    Well my doctors office called me back and said that the only thing I need is a 5 yr weight history.  That should not be a problem ( hopefully ).  I cried.   I have been trying to do this for the past year.  My last Insurance had a bunch of hoops I had to jump and now poof. I decided to make a job change and it is turning to be a great decision.  

I have UHC also and that is what they are telling me also. I just went for my first consult yesterday and I called back today to ask about if I could start losing weight now.  Her response was that some policies with UHC is requiring a 6 month diet.  So, I got off the phone and called once again and was told the same thing again.  I only need to have a BMI over 40.  I wish I could get a straight answer from someone.

My suggestion is to do what I did.  Call them have request that they send in you writting what the criteria for WLS approval is.  I did that and found out that my ins company (Blue care network - MI) had revised they criteria and made it easier to get approved.   That way they can't do the "tell a different story" each time you call because you will have it in black and white.