Question:
United Health Care 01-03-03

Hi all, I am new to posting but not new to reading. I have been reading the boards for over 2 yeas now. I have United Health Care Insurance and was scheduled to have a tummy tuck, hernia repair and a breast reduction. They approved the hernia repair and breast reduction but turned down the tuck, said it was considered cosmetic. I have lost 110lbs in a little over a year and have bad hanging skin, I am not looking to be miss america but I do believe I DESERVE a chance at a NORMAL healthy lifesyle. I would love to hear from anyone that can help me! I have no idea how to appeal but the doc says I should as he cannot believe they turned it down, we were thinking I would have about 20lbs of skin taken off just my stomac!Thanks so much! I totally can't believe this, I thought I had the best insurance company! trena g my e mail address is :[email protected]    — T C. (posted on January 3, 2003)

January 2, 2003
I have United Health Care too....and so far I DO think they are the best insurance company. If I were you, I would take some pictures of the hanging skin, along with pictures of any rashes you are getting, and forward those along with a letter from your doctor to your insurance company...be sure you call it a panni , not a tummy tuck...(two different things)...I'm not even close to this point yet in my recovery (only 8 days post-op)...but I know ALOT of people have discussed it around here...search the library on this site, there might be some sample letters! Good luck to you!
   — thekatinthehat

January 3, 2003
tel your doc ofice to apeal but use the code for panni as it is the medical version of a tummy tuck. he just wrote that he was apealing for removal of a large paanni that caused great back pine rashes ectra.. ...that what i did and was aproved 2 hours later!!!!
   — bekka K.

January 4, 2003
You might want to check and see how much it would cost to self pay for the abdominoplasty as the tertiary procedure. It may not be that much since the insurance is already paying for the anesthesia and OR time for the other 2 procedures. I work at a hospital and deal with cosmetic surgery pricing as part of my job. Also, usually a Panniculectomy does not involve tightening the abdominal and pelvic muscles, only removing the excess skin. Just a suggestion.
   — gvlgal

January 4, 2003
go to www.lvcm.com/njtomato/indel.htm There is an appeal letter for the tt.
   — peggyp