help/Kansas City

My insurance company has approved my surgery but requires an "in network surgeon" and an "in network facility"  I'm insured by United Health Care.  Any guys from Kansas City area that used United and faced the same requirements plz email.   Thx  Bob [email protected]

have you tried the KS forum  or  find a surgeon link on the top right?  http://obesityhelp.com/forums/KS/      KS forum The KS forum looks awfully slow doesn't seem alot of folks from KS have heard of OH yet.  http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeons+in+k ansas.html this is the find a surgeon lin k for KS, not alot of choses.find one close adn click the surgeons namne, them under his profile theres a insurance tab. That will show you what insurance other have had, look for your company, chance are you'll be ok. Good Luck

I don't know UHC rules, but Blue Cross let me use my local surgeon because there wasn't a blue cross dude w/in 50 miles. I just had to call for an out of network authorization. Somethin' to thunk over.

Hey Bob, Where in KS you from? My dad lives in Neodasha. I used UHC for my surgery. I had surgery at a Barix clinic. The clinic just called the ins company and asked to be put in network. I think the hospital and doctor would have to agree to work for the in-network pricing though.  I also have access to my ins online. I'm sure you do to. Just log in to your ins account and find a bariatric surgeon and hospital that is in-network and go from there. Ronnie

this is great, thx.  I'm getting pretty stoked about doing this.  Bob

Hi Bob, I am from Olathe (suburb of KC, I'm sure you already knew) and I have UNC.  Here is the link to the surgeon that I used: Dr. Hitch**** Sign up for one of his seminars, you'll enjoy it even if you end up with another surgeon.  His program is set to benefit you for life rather than just get you in the OR and chop away.  You will need approval from a psychologist, nutritionist and physical therapist along with all of the typical lab work before you even get a date.  It sounds like hoops and hurdles to some but that is just how concerned he is for his patients.  You can read my profile for more of a review. However... he operates his RNY out of SMMC.  (He also does lap band there as well but I elieve he will do lap band at another hospital but not RNY.)  UNC and SMMC are battling it out over a contract at the moment.  More than likely by the time you work your way through the pre-op process they will have it resolved but it is worth mentioning. I can also tell you right now that UNC will require five years of documentation that you are and were morbidly obese.  They will nitpick it.  You had to of been morbidly obese all five years, to the month. If/when you sign up for the seminar you will get a confirmation postcard with the time and date.  It will also have a note about a meeting covering insurance prior to the seminar that is optional.  Go to it.  There will be a lot less people there and you will more than likely get one-on-one help from his staff.  Billie and Nola handle the insurance and they will fight for you tooth and nail. Good luck, hope this helps.