Question:
Anyone with United Health Care have the Lap Band Surgery/ how was the approval/time

Anyone with United Health Care please let me know how the process works to get Lap Band approval surgery and do they pay for it. I was referred to Dr. Duncan in Atlanta, GA.    — anita5051 (posted on September 28, 2009)

September 28, 2009
I had United Healthcare and had gastric bypass...the approval time was approx 2 weeks and they paid very well...85-90% on everything. GOod luck to you!!!
   — MissMarie516

September 28, 2009
i also have united and my approval and mine was very quick only about 3 weeks and the process was also easy just goto the classes and start going to the doctors and get a history of weight lose started makes it easier the more history you have the easier it is good luck
   — buddman2833

September 28, 2009
I received an approval from United Healthcare in 3 weeks! My surgeon didn't specify which procedure he just said bariatric surgery. I get to choose the procedure. I'm having RNY because I don't think I will lose enough weight with the band.
   — savannahharper

September 28, 2009
I have United Health Care and was never approved. In fact, their exact words were "No way in he**." (I had a BMI of 61 plus co-morbidities.) It depends on the size of the company through which you have the insurance. Smaller companies have less options available.
   — jtoothman

September 29, 2009
I HAVE UHC. I did what was told by doing the supervised weight loss diet and exercises. when submited...was denied. They said I needed 5 years of documentation of morbid obesity. I almost gave up...I had to have 2 knee replacements, so it put that off for awhile. I then was told I was DIABETIC. Food controlled. Well, that upset me! I WROTE A 10 PAGE LETTER TO UHC. TOLD THEM EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, EVERY MEDICATIONS, HOW OFTEN I HAD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, WHAT I HAD IN STORE FOR ME IF I DID NOT LOSE WEIGHT. I LTERALLY TOLD THEM "IF I DON'T HAVE THIS SURGERY...I WILL DIE DUE TO OBESITY RELATED DISEASES." I WAS APPROVED WITHIN 5 WEEKS. FROM THEN I DID ALL MY TESTING AND PRE-OP DIET, HAD SURGERY IN 2 WEEKS. TAKE CHARGE AND DO THE APPEAL YOURSEF AND LET THEM KNOW WHY YOU NEED IT. WITH THAT BMI ALONE YOU SHOULD GET IT...DO RESEACH(GUESS THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE DOING) GOOD LUCK
   — jewels4j

September 29, 2009
APOLOGIES ON MY LAST ANSWER. WAS READING SOMEONE ELSES ANSWER. I AM IN IA, BUT COMPANY IS WORLDWIDE. JUST HAVE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE THAT YOU NEED BEFORE IT IS SUBMITTED THE FIRST TIME. ONCE I DID GET APPROVAL, WAS VERY FAST. WE MET OUR DEDUCTIBLE EARLY IN THE YEAR SO IT WAS COVERED 100% AFTER THAT. THE PEOPLE IN INSURANCE DEPT AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FILL YOU IN ON A LOT OF YOUR QUESTIONS ALSO...
   — jewels4j

September 30, 2009
I have United Health abd i had gastric bypass they approved me in two weeks hopefully it's easier for lap band good luck
   — RIANNAH12