Question:
Has anyone been approved for RnY gastric bypass with Unicare insurance?

What WERE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS.    — kcraig (posted on July 15, 2001)

July 15, 2001
While I don't know the answer to your specific question, I did some research. In the insurers link of this site, the state of Texas has 10 approvals with Unicare and 1 still waiting for reply. There were no denials. Maybe you could e-mail these people your specific questions. Shelley
   — Shelley.

July 15, 2001
I have Unicare insurance and had open RNY on June 18th, 2001. My friend also has the same insurance and is having her surgery July 17, 2001. They required a psych evaluation, TSH levels (thyroid studies), and a letter of medical clearance from our PCP. The one drawback was this. Our surgeon only performs the open RNY at a certain hospital. He has his own surgical staff there, the hospital is equipped with the beds, etc. When I went to preop, they called my insurance and I was told they were only covering the surgery 70% because I "went out of network". I didn't have any other choice. This hospital isn't in our network, but the surgeon is. Go figure. I had to have my deductible of $500 paid to the hospital before they would do surgery so I had to get a loan through the finance department at the hospital. I had dealt with Unicare for 4 months previous to my surgery. Not once did they ever tell me they were only covering the surgery at 70%. I called them to ask them why and they told me "it's not something we would tell you unless you ask", which is complete BS. So when I get my bill I am going to fight it because my doctor will not perform this at another hospital nor do any of the hospitals in my area perform this operation. Good luck!!
   — Tracy B.

July 26, 2001
Unicare paid for mine. All they requested was a letter from my surgeon and PCP, a TSH level, and a psych eval. Ten minutes after they got the last thing they needed (my PCP letter) they faxed back to the surgeon's office that I was approved. It wasn't bad at all.
   — Jeannie B.