How hard is UHC Select Plus POS as secondary if Medicare is Primary?

I have Medicare as primary and UHC as secondary. I know that they will not present to Medicare until after surgery. I called UHC the other day and was told that as long as BMI was above 40 ( mine @ 40.2) that they would approve. Is my BMI to close that they might possibly deny? I'm hoping that they will approve right away since they are the secondary ins. Any insight to this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sheila MO

Over 40 is over 40, that shouldn't be your concern. UHC uses the same utilization review guidelines, no matter what the coverage level is. I was approved on the first submission, no problem, but that was over a year and a half ago, and things may have changed. Medicare does not do pre-determinations or prior approvals. In order to be approved by Medicare, you need statements from your physicians that WLS is medically necessary to treat your LIFE THREATENING co-morbidities. Anything else will not fly. (Get your doctors writing...) Fight the good fight! Roberta