Hi, so I'm new to this site, but I decided back in may I wanted to do wls, when I first talked to my insurance company about requirements I met all of them, so I picked a Dr. and got my consultation date. Then when I was speaking to them about something completely different I decided to ask about requirements again. Good thing I did because the first time I asked they failed to tell me I must do their bariatric program and get surgery at one of their hospitals of excellence. The only problem was there is not one in my state. However they reimburse me for travel expenses. It was just so frustrating because I was excited to begin with my consultation and everything. Now I feel like I'm starting all over again. I'm pretty nervous about having to do it through their program and want to know if anyone here has done United healthcare's bariatric program and how that went for you?

Yes. Both the doctor's office and my Optum nurse. Ugh.

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I've left messages for my Optum nurse and she hasn't called me back. That was 2 weeks ago

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Have you call United health care themselves insteadt of your optum nurse now I called United health care to see if all My paperwork was submitted they said everything was submitted to them on Monday but My doctors Office told me that they were going to submit everything last Monday. I feel like most optum nurses have no clue what's going on. But make sure you don't count weekends as they are not business days just Mon-Fri for your 30days

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Yes, I called them twice. Always still pending review. My doctor's office said they are checking everyday, so it helps knowing that.

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I've left messages for my Optum nurse and she hasn't called me back. That was 2 weeks ago

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Mine (Optum Nurse) happen to be in vacation when I messaged her, so a few days later that's when I called UHC directly. Then when she came back she said the same thing they told me over the phone. That was reassuring. But waiting sucks, especially knowing some lucky people get and answer in a few days or even a few weeks.

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My problem is...I don't want to bug people. I know it's probably better if I did, I just can't do it - I'm not wired that way. I'll probably check in again on Monday (but I'll second guess myself first, ha).

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I've left messages for my Optum nurse and she hasn't called me back. That was 2 weeks ago

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ooh, optum nurses...yea I went through that I called and week and half later I got a call back. i wonder how many patients they have per nurse since they stink at calling patients back..

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Yes, I called them twice. Always still pending review. My doctor's office said they are checking everyday, so it helps knowing that.

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Keep checking with them. never hurts, but I understand how this process can drive you crazy...

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There are so many different numbers to call for optum does any one have the number handy?

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There are so many different numbers to call for optum does any one have the number handy?

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(888) 936-7246 that's the number in my phone

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Finally. Approved!!! No surgery date yet, just pre op appointment next week. Took 27 business days.

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Edited October 21, 20169 yr by ChickenChick

Finally. Approved!!! No surgery date yet, just pre op appointment next week. Took 27 business days.

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yay!!! happy for you!!!!

I know it took some patience!!

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Congratulations!

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Finally. Approved!!! No surgery date yet, just pre op appointment next week. Took 27 business days.

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yay!!! happy for you!!!!

I know it took some patience!!

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A heartfelt Thank you!

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Congratulations!

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Thank you!!!

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I did learn something that everyone may already know, but I didn't...so I wanted to share. (As I've read in the forums before) It's not true that the Optum nurse we are required to have reviews our file for approval (I didn't believe that anyway). As far a bariatrics, if you have UHC and your employer is Apple (for example) all those files are reviewed by the same person or group of people. Supposedly once my file was reviewed it took less than an hour to approve, but it took them 27 days (and several calls for a supervisor from my surgeon's office) to actually decide to look at it.