Hi! I am really excited to start this journey and I was really happy to stumble across this website. I recently attended a weight loss surgery seminar, and I am really excited to get started. I (like a LOT of people) am extremely worried that I won't get approved through my insurance. Does anyone have experience with United Healthcare? Are they pretty easy to get approved through? My plan says I need complete a supervised diet and exercise program through the surgery team, but it doesn't say for how long. I'm trying to get this done this year, since my husband and I have met our out of pocket max, and everything will be covered at 100% now. Surgery included (I checked). I am worried that if I have to do the 6 month diet, I won't get a surgery date in time for it to be covered at 100%. Advice, suggestions, experience, strength, and hope?

I had talked to a few of my doctors about weight loss on a few occasions and they documented what we talked about. Some of the appointments were in the same months so my surgeons office said they could only count one of the visits out of the ones that happened in the same months because it has to show 6 different months. I hope that answers your question. Good luck with your journey! I am almost 3 months out and 53 lbs down!

Had UHC and approval was easy but did have to do the six mos nutrition classes. Needed clearance from cardio, polmonologist, & psych, too. They required co-pays and there was a $250.00 inpatient deductible, too. The total bill said $26,000+ so I feel like it's a small outlay of cash in retrospect.

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Did you have to lose weight to get approved? I gained 5 pounds and I am towards the end.

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• I have United Healthcare Gold Compass HSA 1600.
• I took my Online Seminar at Bariatric Specialist of NC on 1/19/16
• Initial Consultation 2/18/16
• Started my 6 month supervised weight program 2/4/16 - 7/18/16
• Worked with my case manager to get all required documentation 7/18/16 - 8/26/16
• Documentation will be submitted to Insurance for approval on 7/28/16
• The Dr. office is tell me its a 7 to 30 day approval process. But on average they get a response back in 15 Business days. We will see. I'm soooo nervous.
• Then I have to wait for the final results consultation appointment.
• Then they say it will probably take 3 weeks to get on the table.

If your just starting now, and trying to get it for 2016 out of pocket with insurance. I don't think you will meet it. I'm sorry I know how stressfull this is. I am so ready for my surgery. I really pray I get approved and fast.

These are the requirements my case manager says my insurance requires.

• A referral from your PCP
• BMI above 35 with obesity-related health problems (or BMI above 40 without health problems)
• Participation in consecutive 6 month "clinically supervised" weight management program
• Letter of Medical Necessity from your PCP
• Medical clearance (Psychological Clearance for surgery from a mental health physician, Nutritional evaluation from a Registered Dietitian, Gastroenterology, Blood Labs, Pulmonary, sleep Study)
• 5 Year weight history

I hope this helps,

CK