I just found out today that my insurance, United Healthcare choice plus, doesn't require a supervised diet or psychological evaluation. They only require a bmi over 40 and a bariatric center of excellence. I feel so fortunate. Now I just have to get approved.

I was approved in days with them. Good luck!

Awesome News!!!! Best of luck!

That's wonderful news! Keep us updated(:

I have UHC as well all that was required was a BMI of over 35 with 2 comorbidities or BMI of 40+. My husband work required 6mths of dietician calls known as optum health and wellness. I guess that's a good thing because my surgeon is requiring a slew of tests. This gives me time I'm half way there! I plan to have my surgery after spring '14 semester.

cassyV- I had to enroll in optum health and wellness, that is one of my requirements. I am still waiting for one of their nurses to call me. They told me if she hasn't called me by the 27th to call them back. So I guess I will be calling them on Monday. I am hoping for a spring break surgery date(late March) since my husband will be out of school then. I will find out more at my appointment on the 3rd, it can't get here fast enough.

It took my nurse two weeks to call me. Then she will give you a number to talk to call to set up dietitian calls. Honestly you can call optum even before the nurse calls you and get the ball rolling to enroll in the wellness program. You will get 6-8 calls within 6-7 months from the dietitian (basically 1 call a month 3-10mins), in my case thats how it is. When the nurse finally calls she will ask you questions, why this surgery have you heard of the other bariatric surgeries, what medication you take, why do you want to have this surgery and a family history. GOOD LUCK. Even though I am planning for a may/june surgery I will still be taking classes maymester, summe 1 and summer 2. It must be done though!

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by cassyV

I just got a call from the nurse and she just went over some questions about my meds that i am taking. She also asked me about lifestyle changes. No dietitian calls or anything like that. Then she explained my insurance requirements.

Hi, I'm new to this but I was wondering how other people dealt with UHC. My husbands job requires 6 month dr supervised diet, psych visit (which I had today and it went well) then to go through whatever the surgeon wants. Feb is my second diet month, but the dr told me to make sure I don't miss an appt because the insurance company (Optum) will make you start all over again!

I also have united health care. My surgeons office called and verified that bariatric surgery was in fact covered. I also had to call and enroll in their bariatric plan. I waited just a few days and the nurse called me back. I was able to use my records from my pcp for the last 6 months and had to do an evaluation. After getting those records to my drs office they submitted the request and I was actually approved the very next day. I am having surgery this Friday. Yay!!!! So excited.

When you used the PCP records had you been just going every month or how did that work?

It was required for it to be consecutive months. Most of mine were but not all of them. Have just been seeing the same dr for a few yrs and could use those records. When I talked with the lady that called me back she emailed me a 6 month sheet for the drs office to fill out.

I have only been seeing an OB for the last few years. They are using those records to document my BMI for the last 5 years so I don't know if they would let that go for my doctor supervision also. Plus, except for last year I was only going once a year. I do have some weight related lady issues that I'm going to ask about though as well as knee and foot issues.

So I too have UHC. Just found out at the beginning of the month of having to contact optimu health. Missed the appoint with my case worker nurse so had fo reschedule the call with her. Her name is Felisha. Thursday have my 5th NUT appt n hopefully get the ball rolling with the other appts I needed. Nervous and anxious at the same time.... any advice to make it a smoother process for the approval?

I keep reading about others with united healthcare getting approved. My insurance has a written exclusion for bariatric surgery I wish I knew where to go.

Edited January 20, 201511 yr by jillstl