Question:
Has anyone recently been approved through United Healthcare Choice?

I'd like feedback from people who've recently been approved through United Healthcare Choice. What kind of documentation was required? How quickly were you approved? I was told by the benefits rep that the surgery must be deemed "medically necessary" by a qualified surgeon, and a psyche evaluation is also required. Just curious if this was your experience.    — Leni M. (posted on March 30, 2003)

March 29, 2003
Hi. I Have United Health Care, but I am not sure about the Choice part. My paperwork was submitted on January 4th I think, and I was approved in less than two weeks. I had my surgery February 12th. (RNY Lap) I will be getting weighed tomorrow but I have lost about 45 lbs in 7 weeks! I just received my bill from the hospital yesterday and it was appox. $23,000 and my part is a whopping $150.00!! It will be the best $150.00 I ever spent :) Good Luck!
   — Peggy B.

March 29, 2003
I have UHC select choice. my paperwork was turned in Jan. 16 and approved Jan.31. Surgery was Feb 10th. I did have to have all the te4sts but my doc ordered all them and all I had to do was show up. My pre-test were 5,000. all i paid were two 12. co-pays. my hospital bill was 18,000. and I paid nothing. UHC only paid 6500. on the hospital and surgeon and the hospital dicscounted the rest and no cost to me. They cannot ask me for the balance.
   — Delores S.

March 30, 2003
I have UHC POS (Arizona). I got an approval about 2-3 weeks after my paperwork was submitted. I work in the insurance industry and if your policy is through your employer, you should know that the EMPLOYER is the one who decides what provisions will or will not be included in the policy. In my case, there was no exclusion for the surgery or "medical necessity" wording either. My policy just had the requirement of having the diagnosis of morbid obesity (BMI 35 or greater). I knew this info because I got a copy of my insurance certificate and read it thoroughly. I strongly encourage you to do the same. Knowledge is power and if you have any questions about the wording in the document, contact your HR dept, United HealthCare or even this website. Good luck to you and remember with these insurance companies, the squeeky wheel DEFINITELY gets the grease!!
   — Kimberly P.

March 30, 2003
I have UHC. Letter Submitted March 4th. Surgery Approved March 18th. Surgery Date set for April 18th. One word of advice. Once letter is submitted to Insurance, Call, Call, Call until they approve you.
   — TJ M.

March 30, 2003
What is the point of calling, calling, calling? Does that REALLY make them approve you quicker?
   — Elizabeth ..

March 30, 2003
I have UHC Tennessee PPO. It took me 3 weeks to get all the documentation... I had to show 3 diets with documentation, 5 yrs of medical records ( that was a pain), and a psych eval. The only reason it took me so long was the psych went on vacation after my first appointment, and it was 2 weeks later bfor he did my second consult :~|. Everything was turned in on Feb 12 03, I called on Feb 15, 03 to make sure they got everything, and Lisa the Doctor's assistant called me on Feb 21 03 to set up my surgery date for April 24,03... I also had 3 co morbis and my pcp and gynecologist (he's the only dr i've gone to regularly for 5 yrs) did a letter of recommendation, so that helped a lot too.
   — mellyhudel

March 30, 2003
I have united healthcare choice plus. I was approved in 2 weeks with no pshyc. evaluations or meeting with nutritionists. Their only requirement was 100 pounds overweight.
   — salymsmommy