UHC how long for approval?

My weekend just got better.  The surgery coordinator recieved all my records and is submitting for approval today. 

I am so excited and not sure why, I will worry about this now until I get an approval.  How long does that take?  Do I call them and hound them or wait it out? 

I also called HR today to check out short term disabiltiy...  I get 25 weeks at 80% of pay...and I was going to just use my vacation...I can substiute with that and make up the other 20% for 100% pay.  She will be sending me the paper work on this so I can get it started.

Things are finally starting to move after months of waiting.

 Good luck. I've heard that UHC is pretty good with approving the DS as long as you have everything done and submitted. Some people say they get an answer in a week others longer. Give them a couple of days then call next week to make sure they received your packed. Then call them back a week later if you don't hear anything. They won't deny you because you call and check status. Sometimes some insurance companies need us to hound them to work faster lol. Best of luck to you. I hope that you are approved the first time around and don't need to appeal. 

Thank you!  I will be waiting...note I did not say paiteintly...

How about you?  Have you got a date yet?  What is the hold up there?

I submitted my information to UHC yesterday and this morning I called to make sure they received it. When he said they did, I asked how long it will take to decide, he said usually 15 days. But apparently the doctors office have to put a dummy date on the information to get approval, then when they get a scheduled date they call and tell the insurance the date has been changed. Well, the doc put 1/30/09 as my dummy date, so they have to have an answer by next Friday.

If I were you, I would call them first thing MOnday and make sure they got it and see what the date is the doc put in for, then you know what you are working with. But I have spoke to some who say their info was sent to UHC on FRI they were approved MON.

Best of luck to you!!!!

Breanna

Thanks for the tip Branna.  I will call them first thing this morning.

I called this morning and was told that the pre determination is a 30 day process.  She told me they have to hand key the information in the system and that I should call back on Friday to see if this informaiton has been reiceved.  Does this sound right?

I don't get what you mean by a dummy date?  My clinic sent all my info to the bariatric coordinator.  She is the one that faxed all my info to UHC.  Who do I ask about the date the doc put in for.  Is this my PCP or the surgery center?

Thanks for your help.

When they send for approval they have to give a tenative date for surgery(dummy date).I called today and they told me the same thing, it is a 30 day process, but normally only takes 15  days. I was told the day they faxed my information, it can take 48 business hours before they see it has been received. So they may not be able to see until tomorrow.
Mine was faxed Thurs. THey could not see until Friday. Today, it is in review and they said at this stage it should be any day. I called 2 times today andgot one lady who said it will be 30 days call back then. Called back and got someone else who was really helpful and gave me lots of info. I would call back and ask for benefits dept, they will send you to care coordination. They should be able to help. If they cant see your info by tommorrow and it was sent Fri. I would ask the coordinator to resend.

I am approved. I just found out a few minutes ago. Just wanted to let you know.

OMG...I think I am too.  I just called and gave them my case number.....she told me there were four referneces 2 that looked to be duplicated.  I am approved for hospitalization and for gastric BP code 43845 (DS)....   I should look for a letter if a couple of days.  Is this what they told you too?