Question:
After eading an earlier post, I am a little depressed

Has anyone been approved through United Healthcare Select, that can give me some information? I read a post earlier about someone that had been denied. Please, if anyone out there has the same insurance that I do, please let me know the outcome...and how bad the process was. Thanks, Sheryl    — Sheryl W. (posted on September 22, 2002)

September 22, 2002
Hi Sheryl, I am also from Missouri and I have United Healthcare Plus too. I was approved over a year and a half ago. However this doesn't mean we have the same coverage. It depends on what your employer has agreed upon with the insurance company. I work for SBC and all people that I know that work for this company and have applied for WLS surgery have been covered. You might check with your benefits department. Good Luck to you!
   — Janie C.

September 22, 2002
OH boy....I didnt mean to ruin anyones day. Let me take a minute to explain how most insurance coverages work. Big insurance company A has several general plans for employers to choose from. Like UHC they are called Select,choice and so on...I think BX uses these names as well. These are HMO plans, meaning you go to the doctors on their list or they wont pay. When you get into POS and PPO plans and stuff like that, then you can go to outside docs. Anyhow, your employer will choose from these generic plans.....All of these generic plans cover WLS. The employer is then presented with options to lower the monthly premium by choosing typical exclusions. Most of the time, the employer doesnt even know what the exclusions are because they dont take the time to read them, dont care, or are told they are only for unusual or costly procedures. Some employers choose not to cover WLS because they do not agree with the surgery. No one really knows why. Also I will say that some insurance companies dont cover WLS at all.....and the employer has to purchase a rider to have it covered (at an additional expense). And again....some employers have self funded policies where the insurance company has no say whatsoever as to what is covered and for how much. In these cases, the insurance company is just the check writer, nothing more. So if one person with UHC is denied because of an exclusion, that doesnt mean you would be as well. Unless of course you work for the same company. The only way you will know, is by looking at your policy and seeing if the exclusion is there. With UHC, the policies have pretty standard wording and it is VERY clear.
   — RebeccaP

September 22, 2002
Sheryl, Wanted to say hello....keep your chin up, I have faith that everything will work out. We will say a prayer for Mikes surgery tomorrow...take care. Dan & Melody
   — Melody M.

September 22, 2002
Hey Sheryl, We both know that Sam was approved and she has our insurance. Stop Worring!!!!!!!!!! Okay have a nice DAy!!!! Luv ya :)
   — Itashka W.