I am at the very last step in the process on my journey for my sleeve. I have often wondered if anyone out there has the same type of insurance that I do and have been on this journey. I have my surgery date November 26 I've done all of my preop testing the last thing to do is my ultrasound and then everything will be submitted to my insurance. I keep getting reassurances that I meet all the criteria and that I should not have a problem being approvedbut I cannot help wonder whether or not this is true and that all my hard work was for nothing. Has anyone been doing this with United healthcare community if so let me know what it was like for you thanks

Hi i have united oxford as well.. Went to meet surgeon in Feb 2014, As he accepted My insurance. His surgery coordinator gave me the list of requirements. United requires 6 months of continued weigh ins along with Cardiologist , Pulmonary, Endoscopy, Psych evaluation, meeting with Nutritionist.. I completed all the required testing and once i weighed in for my 6th month weigh in, surgery coordinator submitted all my info to United, and she called me three days later to tell me i was approved & i got my surgery date around 3 weeks later.

I was sleeved August 4th.. With Dr Spencer Holover from NY Bariatric in NY / Long Island ..HW 262, SW 246, CW 199 ???? best decision of my life. 52 years old, 5 ft 3 in

Thank you good to know that I may not be disappointed in my choice and happy for you....????

I have UHC Community Plan of Ohio and my last appointment is Nov the 13th. It will be my Psy evaluation. Once I complete that, they will be submitting for approval for the surgeon that. Originally, we thought I would have to do the 6 month diet but last week I was informed it was infact only 3 consecutive months (which would be 4 total weigh ins ) and so instead of having to wait til the beginning of the new year to submit I should have an answer before then. Yay!!

Apparently the standard UHC plan requires 6 months but the Community plan here was different. Its crazy to think I am almost finished. This has been a long process for sure.

I have no comorbidities but I have a BMI of 45 and I am hoping that will be enough. Hopefully I didnt go through this whole process for nothing. I was told to prepare myself for a denial initially because alot of people do not appeal and fight it. This is a major surgery. I am most definitely starting to get anxious!!! Once that is submitted it can take up to 2 weeks to hear something back from UHC. It is going to be a long month!!! But I shall remain positive!!! Best of luck to you!

@ngoycoanaya@gmail.com I also have UHC of Maryland. I had to have all of the normal stuff, 6 months recorded diet visits with doctor, sleep study, endoscopy, NUT visit, Psych eval, blood work, EKG. I completed all of the requirements within the first 4 months of my doctor visits. Two days ago, my doctor decided to go ahead and submit my paperwork 2 months early just to see if I could get approved. My doctor felt that I would not get approved, and I had also heard that UHC was very strict on their pre-op requirements, but it was worth a shot.

Just a little while ago, (less than 48 hours later) I got a call from my surgeon's coordinator saying she just got off the phone with the nurse from my insurance company, and they APPROVED me! I am so excited, and its finally going to happen.

Don't let anything that anyone says slow you down, discourage you, or get you down. If this is something you really want, and you truly believe you are ready for it, then GO FOR IT!!!

I wish you the best of luck as you go through this pre-op journey!

Congrats! That is wonderful news!! We will be submitting in less than a week. Hopefully I will be joining you!! I am getting so nervous!!!

I also have United Healthcare and my surgery date is November 17th. I had lots of hoops to jump through before it was submitted, but if they tell you that you qualify then you're good. Especially with your case manager on your side...they're supposed to make sure everything is ok before submission.

hope this helps

What hoops? Don't scare me. All I was told was a diet and a letter from my doctor. Were you denied initially?

I have United Healthcare. I believe what it does depends on how your employer options it out. I can't tell you how many times I heard how great my insurance was. They didn't require almost any of then prerequisites. They were very good to deal with...and fast. I hit my max out of pocket of 5k but it was all smooth. They even sent me a refund check when I over paid.