Question:
Does anyone have United Healthcare choice plus with a written exclusion on obesity???

I have now been denied twice for approval for the gastric bypass sugery and I wanted to know if anyone has been approved that has the same insurance policy as myself with the written exclusion. Any help I can get would be deeply appreciated. I found out today that my 1st appeal after the original request that was submitted by my surgeons office had been denied again and if I find other people out there that had been approved it would give me a little hope. Desperatly Julie    — julie C. (posted on November 5, 2002)

November 5, 2002
I have UHC EPO and was denied because of an exclusion. They said WLS was not covered at all. I worked with my HR rep and they ended up approving it. You may want to try this, it may help! Tomorrow is my surgery date!
   — Sharon F.

November 5, 2002
Julie, I too have been denied by UHC due to a written exclusion policy. I have been fighting with them since July with my PCP, surgeon, HR girl at my office and an insurance broker. All are supportive of my surgery as my BMI is 55. I'm still waiting to hear back from my first appeal. I hold out little hope as I contacted Walter Lindstrom and he said he had never won a case against UHC. I heart goes out to you and I wish you luck. Let me know if you prevail! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a miracle for myself. It's a travesty that this surgery should be excluded from policies at all!
   — SMG I.

November 5, 2002
I have the same insurance, and was approved in 2 weeks for a VBG with no problems.
   — salymsmommy

November 7, 2002
Julie, I feel your pain. I have the same insurance here in GA. I have learned alot since starting this process. First thing you have to do is determine WHO has the exclusion, the insurance company or your employer. That is who you need to address your appeals to.... Mine is the employer, obviously out of ignorance. I have submitted paperwork and copies of the wonderful (useless) senate bills we have here and still my fate rests on the decision of SOMEBODY (still not sure who makes the final decision). So far all I have gotten is the opinion of several people who know nothing about this surgery. The employer has the power to remove the exclusion if it is thru them. All the appeals in the world won't work if the employer has the exclusion and refuses to remove it. I have heard UHC is very hard core. My hope at this point is thru my hubby's insurance, he switched just for me to hopefully get approval. I have been at this for nearly 2 years now. Hope this helps... good luck... Pam in GA..
   — Pam B.

November 16, 2004
Hello, I have uhc choice plus and there was a written exclusion in my policy for this surgery but after about 2 months i was approved. I did not have to write a letter or anything. I was never denied it was in review for a while but they did approve it so cheer up and pray you may have the same luck as me Geneane Brooks open rny 06/22/04
   — chinadol262

November 16, 2004
I too have UHC with an exclusion in my husband's policy. I have been 2 yrs trying to get approved. I have lost all my appeals even with legal help. My husband's employer said that he would do "whatever it takes" to help us. Well going to have UHC again 1-05 & they have the same exclusions!! I have 7 doctors (5 of them being surgeons) trying to get the RNY approved for me. I decided to go on medicare& along with that I can get wellcare, humana & uhc(ugh!). I took wellcare & I'm having to fight again. One doc told me to switch to humana so I will. Pray for me that either wellcare will approve before I switch or humana will approve me. I wish you the best of luck !! Let me know if you get approved.
   — yellow T.