So super discouraged I was denied by my insurance even though my bmi 52!!! Anyone with UHC what is your plan??

I have UHC and was approved first go round with a bmi of 55. I had no issues getting approved and the only thing they wanted me to do was psych eval which I did. I did have a high deductible and out of pocket max though and have spent $3500 out of pocket. Small price to pay though I think.

My plan is with Wells Fargo though so its a really good one. UHC has so many different plans- several years ago I was on my former stepdad's UHC plan and they did not cover the surgery at all. It just all depends. So sorry about your denial- I would appeal though. Many people on here were denied the first time and approved later. Good luck!

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So super discouraged I was denied by my insurance even though my bmi 52!!! Anyone with UHC what is your plan??

Appeal...Did the insurance co tell u why u were denied? Is it something u can fix, submit or have the doc explain? Don't give up! Your fighting for ur life!!

Best Wishes

WLS is not in my plan. I talked with the insurance coordinator at the hospital and she said even if I try and appeal it I would be wasting my time and that UHC won't budge regardless of my bmi.

Do you have an hmo or ppo plan? I have uhc (choiceplus hmo through AT&T) and it is excluded as well. My surgeons office called me the day of my first appt. basically giving me the same speech you got, about how if it is excluded it is a lost cause as far as going through insurance:/

Does your employer offer any other plans?

She's right. If they don't cover it, they won't cover it. When is ur open enrollment? Maybe u can switch to a carrier that does or consider self payment. Good Luck!

I can do self pay but payment is due before surgery and its $19,150!! Looking in to the insurance issue and what I can do

If its excluded from the policy there is nothing you can do because the employer chooses the exclusions and inclusions of the policy ..you could appeal to hr and see if they will do an exception

I can do self pay but payment is due before surgery and its 19' date='150!! Looking in to the insurance issue and what I can do[/quote']

Cameogirl26, you look young;) - i suspect you do not have comorbidities yet that would qualify you with the relatively low BMI. I could never pay for it myself either.

I have been over 230# since i was 23. Always had depression, had low thyroid, but wasnt treated for 20 years (due to old testing methods) By age 37 ihad developed diabetes and low back pain. By 48 yrs i finally agreed to start insulin and blood pressure meds, at 50 my knee cartilage was torn up, and now at age 54 i want to have the surgery- waiting on insurance.

Find a good nutritionist or dr office to work with- try the Mediterranean lifestyle diet. Only whole grains, tons of veggies, no rice- portioned meat. Lots of home cooking. I lost 30 pounds preop on it. If i thought i could lose the #100 lbs just by dieting i would skip surgery, but its only a matter of time before my willpower slips and my depression takes over. (fast food burgers are my greatest weakness and go-to cheatin food)

Best of Luck to you, Cameogirl26!

Thank you!!! I don't feel so young. I am almost 30 with 2 crazy boys that are hard to keep up with

Unfortunately I worked for UHC and they suck. We had to tell sooooo many people that wls was not covered. And it is the choice of the employer to pick if it is covered or not. But if it is not, no appeal or anything else, regardless of issues, it will not b covered. I agree with everyone else, talk to ur employer or see if they have another health plan option. I worked in the small group department, where the employer pretty much picked what they wanted covered and what they didnt and all of the plans I ever handled chose not to cover wls due to the expense.

Well luckily my Dad is my employer Haha!! So I am having him look into it. Do you know if the choice plus plan covers it?

So super discouraged I was denied by my insurance even though my bmi 52!!! Anyone with UHC what is your plan??

Did they say why? Just wondering?

~Leticia **HW: 259**PreOp: 216**SURG: 3/21/13 **Discharged @: 221** 3 mons post op. CW: 165.0 lbs. --- Only 15 lbs to my goal ---

I have UHC and they are covering my bypass. For those who it does not cover, talk to your employer.

It is completely not included in my plan no exceptions

Are there other plans you can change to, when open enrollment rolls around, that will cover it?