I have United Healthcare, and they do cover weight loss surgery (yay!!). However, my policy states that I should have a pre-authorization letter on file 6 months prior to surgery. I don't have to do any diet during that 6 months, nor do I have any other requirements - I just have to wait 6 months. It's frustrating because I seemingly have to wait for no real reason. The coordinator at the surgeon's office said that she's never come across a UHC policy that requires a person to do this, and she agrees that it's silly. Do you think it's worth it to call UHC and inquire more into WHY I have to wait 6 months? Is there some sort of appeal I can do? Or should I just suck it up and have patience?

That is kinda weird. I've heard of insurances that make you wait 6 months while you "prove that you can change". Others that want to see that you can't lose the weight without the surgery & you're actually capped at a limit. If you were to call them I'd ask them to clarify what it is that they're looking to see & if there is anything that could potentially disqualify you during this wait.

Call them! Don't by any means just wait blindly. It would make it so much harder.

1. My coordinator has called, and I also called, and we both received the same information. But yes, I should call back and see if I could be disqualified for any reason during the 6 months wait.
   

[*]My coordinator has called' date=' and I also called, and we both received the same information. But yes, I should call back and see if I could be disqualified for any reason during the 6 months wait.

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That is so weird. Did you get a chance to ask WHY the ridiculous requirement is in place?

CALLL It could be an error

Call your insurance and ask to speak to the RN case manager that submits your file to the medical director that decides on whether u will be covered. That RN will know exactly what is needed in order to submit and why.

Call your insurance and ask to speak to the RN case manager that submits your file to the medical director that decides on whether u will be covered. That RN will know exactly what is needed in order to submit and why.

Thank you!