Question:
Does United health care cover wls?

My friend has just found out her insurance is changing to United Health Care on Nov. 30th. She already had an appt for surgery in Dec. Anyone know if she'll be able to get her surgery. Thanks    — sherri W. (posted on November 20, 2001)

November 20, 2001
I have UHC EPO. They covered everything 100%. The only think I had to pay for out of pocket was the psych because I had to see the psych that the surgeon was affiliated with and it was considered out of network from UHC and I didn't have out of network psych coverage. It ended up costing me $165. No big deal. Everything else, including visiting nurse when I got home, was covered.
   — Dianne K.

November 20, 2001
I have UHC POS and they paid all but my $35.00 co-pay for an open RNY. I have been approved for an abdominoplasty as well. Each company that has UHC is a little bit different in their policy. So until she finds out what her insurance covers, I wouldn't get too excited.
   — [Anonymous]

November 20, 2001
My policy with UHC covered WLS, but I had to pay a total of $2500 out of pocket. The total cost of my surgery was appriximately $26,000. I feel fortunate that I only had to pay 10% of the total cost.
   — artistmama

November 20, 2001
It depends on the contract that was negotiated between her employer and United. Our policy has an exclusion for the treatment of obesity unless there is a diagnosis of morbid obesity. She should check with someone in the Human Resources department - they should be able to tell her if it is covered or give her a phone number to call for information.
   — georgiacarol

November 21, 2001
I have UHC EPO plan.I was approved a week after I sent my paperwork in.My wife was denied and told they needed a 12 month diet history.She got it and was also approved a week after they got the letter.UHC has alot on customer no care people that are not trained.They dont know where to get your info,so they say you are not approved.You have to stay on them.My date is dec 4 and wife's date is march 4 2002.
   — David L.