United Healthcare - Denied - Abdominoplasty and Panni

Now it says I can start the appeal process... where do I begin?  I called the surgeon's office and they told me to call and start and appeal... hello, don't I need them to help me prove why it's medically necessary?  I had provided 6 months history from my pcp documenting rashes, etc... mri results showing bulging disks, notes from my chiropractor... 
so frustrated and don't know how or what to do next.

I would contact the insurance directly - and ask "Of everything that I sent you showing the necessity of this operation - what is it that you are missing but f you saw would make the difference?"
Then what ever they say would make the difference - get it and send back in.  Ask them their exact criteria and how your information didn't meet it.
Often times you will find that there is nothing missing and there is NO reason for denial - in which case you get the persons name, extention, and time you spoke with them and include in your appeals letter that it was stated that you have already submitted the required information and to that there was nothing else required.

Contact your insurance company and ask them what their criteria is for accepting coverage of these procedures. If they have documentation that they can provide you review this with your doctor and see if you can gather medical records that prove that you meet the criteria that they have outlined on their plan documents. There are certain plans that have specific clauses that state that they do not cover these procedures. You might even be able to Google your insurance company and see if this information is on the Internet. In any event they have an obligation to provide you with documentation of what their acceptance or denial criteria is.  You might wnat to start with a phone call to them and porve on the reasons for denial. The appeal process should all be in writing.

Good luck on your appeal.
 

I forgot to mention one thing on my response and that is that most insurance companies don't consider back issues a criteria for needing these procedures. Approval is usually related to skin conditions. They also would want to make sure that your weight loss has been sustained for 18 to 24 months.
 

Attached is a link that came up when I Googled United Healthcare Panniculectomy

https://www.uhcrivervalley.com/downloads/provider/Criteria/Pannus.pdf
 

Before you go through the entire process, call the ins co and verify that the policy your employer has does not specifically exclude plastics.

Don't get too discouraged - a friend of mine just got approved today for TT with UHC - got three denials before because she has no kids.