Question:
Anyone have UHC with exclusion of obesity care, surgical or non surgical?

"your plan does not cover services and associated expenses for the surgical treatment and/or non-surgical treatment of obesity (including morbid obesity)."    — Linda M. (posted on January 20, 2004)

January 20, 2004
I had UHC with this exclusion. I fought with them for 5 months and was denied 3 times. I contacted Walter Lindstrom and he said that he had never won a case against UHC with this exclusion. Needless to say I ended up going to Mexico to have my surgery and I'm so glad I did. I got better care then my sister did at her hospital here in Virginia. Good luck to you though and feel free to ask me any questions about my Mexican excursion!!! Shawna G - Dr. Aguirre - 5/2/03 - 445/267/165
   — SMG I.

January 20, 2004
I have UHC and it was covered, but that's usually up to your company. I'm losing that insurance soon and have to find a personal family policy. All that I've looked at exclude treatment of obesity. You can fight, but you will probably end up self-paying. Good luck.
   — Dragonfly2B2

January 21, 2004
That is UHC's standard exclusion. If it is excluded on your policy, they will not pay, no matter how much money you throw at a lawyer.
   — RebeccaP

January 21, 2004
My sister has this exlusion through UHC and a lawyer who works with weight loss patients told her there was nothing that could be done.
   — M B.

January 21, 2004
FORGET IT!!!! UHC IS THE WORST INSURANCE IN THE COUNTRY!!!not only do they not cover wls, the people that work for them don't know what benifits are covered. i went to the podiatrist and had to have orthotics made $400. the office called them three different times and three different times they were told that YES< THEY WERE COVERED! until the day they came in and i had to pick them up. I had to pay for them. they weren't covered. the Drs. office did all they could for me but i still had to pay. EXP#2 my husband had cataract surgery on both eyes, dec/jan the office called and YES! EVERYTHING IS COVERED!! feb i get a bill, dec=the facility that thesurg was done isn't covered- jan=they covered the facility, but didn't cover the anesthesia!! same surgery-same building, same doctor. different months! i am still paying that bill! i wish them nothing good! find another insurance company hon, don't waste your time and money with this one!
   — CATHYSDAN

January 21, 2004
~~~not only do they not cover wls, the people that work for them don't know what benifits are covered.~~~ They paid for my WLS and for the 5 years I worked for them, I knew how to understand peoples benefits....especially my own.
   — RebeccaP

January 21, 2004
I had this problem with UHC and like everyone has stated - there is NOTHING that can be done - it is in the contract your company agreed to with them. UHC does have plans that cover WLS - but your company chose a "cheaper" plan, which is what my company did last year. I was able to go to my benefit's manager - where everything is by law confidential and explain my dissappointment - which she told me affect our new policy which does not have that exclusion. Perhaps you can do this also, but make sure you have the right to confidentiality - or risk everyone knowing your personal business - if this is not a problem - then proceed to fight (nicely) with the company not the insurer.
   — Anna M.

January 22, 2004
Linda, I answered your email, but it was shot back to me saying your account will not accept emails from hotmail. At least, I'm almost positive it was you...if not..ignore me as the crazy woman.
   — RebeccaP