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I'm thinking about some form of weigh loss surgery. I haven't spoken with doctor yet. I'm trying to decide if there's a chance that UHC would approve me. I contacted them about the requirements and here  is part of  the response that I have a question about.

Bariatric surgery (on an inpatient or outpatient basis) is a covered health service based on the following:

- Covered Person must have a minimum BMI of 40 with documentation of a diagnosis of morbid obesity for a minimum of 5 years from physician; or

- Covered Person has a minimum BMI of 35 for 5 years with complicating co-morbidities (such as sleep apnea or diabetes) directly related to, or exacerbated by obesity with documentation of a diagnosis of co-morbidities for a minimum of 5 years from physician.

My BMI is 39.5 and I just diagnosed as having sleep apnea. The problem is I'm not sure if my BMI has been 35 or higher for the past five years or than during pregnancy. I only went to the doctor consistently when I was pregnant. I had first child five years ago and my last one three years ago. My question is, does anyone know or have any experience with UHC regarding the five year history. Will they consider a BMI less than 35 if it was more than five years ago?

So excited!  My VSG was approved!

I will say that I was really sweating it because of the at least 2 years of weight documentation.  However, I had some old medical weights that proved I'd been fat longer than the 2 years.  I wrote a letter to explain why I hadn't been to a doctor.  It worked.  January 14 can't get here soon enough! 

Just letting you know my experience, I too had the LB revised to the Sleeve and my reflux became worse.  Not sure if you know that RNY is the less likely for reflux.  I have a hiatal hernia too.  I am waiting for my doctor's office to submit the paper work to BCBS Federal.  

I have almost the exact same story as you!  I have been obese for years but did not have recent medical documentation.  I wrote a letter explaining the lack of current medical weight documentation (basically that I had not been sick since my son was born in 2009, my husband lost his job so insurance changes  and a move had me just putting off regular preventative exams, etc)  My plan states that I need documentation of "at least 2 years of persistent obesity"  so we provided medical records from my pregnancy in 2009 showing that I was, indeed, obese back then.  I stated several times in the letter I wrote that I had "at least" two years of obesity...I had more like 15 years!  I was approved.  I'm having surgery in January.  I hope this helps your spirits.  Good luck!