Question:
No letter of approval from insurance

I had a surgeon consult in May and since then have done all the pre-op tests required. My insurance (United Healthcare) said they were going to put my surgery in as out-of-network (i don't really care) and I thought that was it. But I've been reading where everyone gets a letter of approval. Should I call to double check or am I worrying for nothing??    — Stephanie S. (posted on August 6, 2002)

August 6, 2002
Hi Stephanie! I have UHC also, they do not send out approval letters. You can call them though and ask for your authorization number. Good Luck!
   — Stephanie B.

August 6, 2002
Hi Stephanie, I received a letter of approval from my insurance company but I had already called the company and was told that my RNY was approved. HOWEVER, I contacted my surgeon's office and they had NOT gotten a letter of authorization and would not/could not set up an operating room reservation or start admitting procedures for my post-op hospital stay without a written letter of approval. I ended up faxing them MY copy even though they knew that I had been approved AND they knew the authorization number. They needed a WRITTEN LETTER. Please check on this so that you won't have any last minute problems or surprises. Good luck!!
   — Rebecca T.

August 6, 2002
No need to worry. Just pick up the phone and confirm. You could even ask them to send you a formal "letter of pre-certification," just to have in your files. Even if it's not their habit, they will probably send you something if you request it.
   — Terissa R.