Question:
Has anyone hired a bariatric attorney to appeal a denial?

I went through the whole lap band pre admission deal with Dr George Woodman in Memphis Tennessee. I was denied approval on the initial letter to United Healthcare. I have found another Doctor, Virginia McGrath, at St Francis Hospital and she does the gastric bypass. I have started the pre-admission process with them. They have not submitted the information to United Healthcare yet.    — Connie B. (posted on June 12, 2003)

June 12, 2003
First you need to find out what criteria your insurance company wants for WLS. Mine required a six month doctor supervised diet and history of five years of being morbidly obese. I didn't meet either criteria and was denied. I also hired walter lindstrom, and after two more deniels, it was finally overturned by an external review. Took seven months. Good luck.
   — Robin T.

June 13, 2003
Why were you denied? That's the most important question. My husband was denied by our insurance company because his BMI was not the 40 or above as stated in the criteria. I wrote his appeal letter (review by a panel of 9 physicians!) and the denial was reversed as well as getting the criteria changed! E-mail me if you want. Maybe I can help you with your appeal. (I would need to know the criteria the insurance company uses.) If nothing else, I would be happy to send you a copy of the appeal letter so you can see what it looks like.
   — koogy

June 13, 2003
Hi! Well I have to agree with Susan. Find out why you were denied and try to appeal yourself. Gather recomendation letters from all of your doctors. New PCP, old PCP, any specialist you might have gone to, a close personal friend, a friend who has had the surgery and has been sucessful, and then write one of your own. I can get you copies of all of these letters which I had to do in order to apeal my denial also. I was later approved within 1 week! *_* Good Luck! If you need any help please feel free to contact me! (3 mos post op -67lbs!)
   — Dayanara A.

June 18, 2003
Connie Contact Walter Lindstrom at www.obesitylaw.com. I was VERY skeptical, but for 450 bucks he appealed my denial and WON! I'm now scheduled for surgery on july 23. Please contact him - he is wonderful and in addition he has also had WLS so is totally supportive. Good luck!
   — Julie B.