Question:
Seeking Others Approved By United Health Care
I am thinking of switching ins. since Cigna has denied me because of their 2-26 week supervised diet requirement. I would like to hearfrom others your experience with UHC and what did they require and what info. did you have? I am 5'5 and 245lbs with the typical co-morbs and mild sleep apnea. Thanks a bunch for any help, Sherri — Sherri M. (posted on July 21, 2003)
July 21, 2003
Hi...I have UHC PPO...I received an approval within 2 weeks. My BMI was
40...I am 5'3 and my starting weight was 230...I had no co morbities
either. UHC was very easy to deal with ...good luck!!!!!
— renee G.
July 21, 2003
I have UHC POS. They told me over the phone I would be approved. It took
about 2 weeks for it to become official though. I like them. They're good
on the phone. Really took their time with me.
— mrsmyranow
July 21, 2003
Well I have UHC EPO, It has been 3 weeks and still no word. It is all
supposed to be done over the phone though....:)
— Saxbyd
July 21, 2003
I have UHC and was approved in less than 2 weeks! They were awesome. My
bill was $26,000.00 and my portion was $150.00
— Peggy B.
July 21, 2003
I have UHC Select Choice and I was approved in two weeks (not done by
phone) My starting weight was 228.6 and I am 5'1". They required
nothing of me but my surgeon did. I had to have all the usual test except
sleep apnea. But, as I said, this was required by my surgeon not the
insurance.
— Delores S.
July 21, 2003
United Health Care was wonderful. They have several different plans, and
when we switched insurance companies, my husband called to see which of
their plans covered it 100% and that is the plan we chose. We got approved
without after the first letter. Be patient with talking to machines and
not people sometimes. It gets a little frustrating. Good Luck
— anadrama
July 21, 2003
I have UHC Select Choice and I was approved in two weeks (not by phone). I
started out weighing 228.6 and am 5'1". They did not require anything
but my surgeon did. I had to have all the required test except the sleep
apnea. But, as I said, not required by the insurance but my surgeon.
— Delores S.
July 21, 2003
Sherri, There seems to be a common misnomer on this website that UHC
approves practically everyone. I just want to caution you to look into what
type of policy it is. PPO is most likely to approve. HMO is more difficult.
I have UHC Choice Plus HMO and I've been denied, I'm going through my first
appeal. Not saying it's impossible, just sometimes difficult. Feel free to
email me if you have any questions. Good luck!!! :0)
— SweetDragonfly
July 21, 2003
Hi-- Same height /weight. United PPO Approved after first letter. Have mild
arthritis and family history of obesity, little bit of reflux. My surgeon
( Duke University) required a referral from the PCP, a psych eval,
extensive labs, but they made it all pretty easy--- they submitted,
followed up and in less than 2 weeks I was approved. Also-- fyi-- surgery
was 8 weeks ago yesterday. I have lost 38 pounds and have not thrown up
once. This has - so far- definately been do-able. Best of luck to you--- I
have a good feeling that things are going to work out for you !
— Louise W.
July 21, 2003
I worked for UHC for 5 years in claims payment. I am not speaking on thier
behalf nor am I guaranteeing anything. About 3or 4 years ago UHC adopted
the policy to let the doctors and not UHC determine medical necessity.
This was a big deal and this is why peoples opinions on this site are that
UHC will approve anyone. Because they will, so long as your policy covers
the procedure, and you have a qualified surgeon saying that it is medically
necessary. It has nothing to do with HMO vs PPO or anything of the sort.
The working envoronment at UHC is unreal with the fact that it is preached
that you do everything you can to get benefits for that claim or that
member. I can not tell you how many times I heard...'if you can find any
way to pay or approve that procedure...do it.' I hear so much bashing of
insurance companies on this site, I just can not validate any of it from my
perspective. Anyhow to answer your question....bmi of 40, and a letter
from my surgeon. :)
— RebeccaP
July 21, 2003
starting weight of 291 with several co-morbids. Had to have a psych
consult, 5 years of medical records, and had to show documentation of 3
supervised diets. I included diet books as well as food diaries. Once
submitted, I was approved within 2 weeks, and having surgery 5 weeks later.
They are one of the best insurances. Also, if the dr's office sends you a
bill for more than the insurance coverd, you don't have to pay it. (I got a
$60,000 surgvery for 23,000, and only had a $200 copay)
— mellyhudel
July 22, 2003
Hello. I have UHC and very similar stats to you. I am 5'5" and
started at 237. UHC was great, they took 2 weeks to approve me and I have
no complaints about them at all. Feel free to read my profile for
additional info. Lap RNY 237/190/130.
— Dawn P.
July 22, 2003
My policy has an exclusion in it and, as I understand, this exclusion can
not be overturned. My company is self-insured with UHC as the 3rd party
administrator. My company could override the exclusion, but will not do
it. Make sure you check what exclusions your policy has. Read it very
carefully and ask your HR department.
— Terry Lynn W.
July 23, 2003
I have UHC PPO and was approved in less than 2 weeks. I submitted the
following: 1) Letters from my Endocrinologist, Pulmonologist, Psychologist
and General doctor; 2) A spreadsheet listing 10 years of dieting (surgeon
only needed 2 yrs but I got carried away.) Only two were with doctors and
all the rest were fad diets, diets I invented, details on laxative and
enema use plus exercise programs. That was it. Good luck!
— Oneida H.
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