Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

United healthcare cost estimator tool



Recommended Posts

I have united healthcare choice plus. I am calling united in the morning and I have asked the bariatric center to find out if the surgery would be covered. On the united healthcare website, there is a tool that will estimate your out of pocket cost for procedures. When I click the tool it suggests that nothing will be covered. My question is has anyone ever used the tool, but then you were approved anyway? I'm not losing hope until I hear from the insurance company, but wanted to ask.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have UHC advantage plan and it was covered, but I had to pay my yearly out of pocket cost. My out of pocket was $6,700. The surgery itself was about $30,000. It sucked having to pay that, but totally worth it. Also, they required me to do a 3 month supervised diet with my PCP. I started the WLS journey in November 2016 and had RNY in June 2017.

Hope this helps. Every insurance plan is different. Your best bet is to call UHC directly. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had uhc choice it was covered with a bmi over 35 and required a 6 month diet. Cost was 4500 for the sleeve. I opted for self pay for 8500.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also my bmi was 35, after a six month diet I am sure I would be under that. I have been on a yoyo for the last 10 years and am over it. So yes, I didn't want to wait six months and no longer qualify. I am ready for a permanent solution.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also have United Healthcare - DO YOU HOMEWORK. I started with the WLS program at my local hospital only to find out that the hospital itself was IN network, but the entire list of people i'd have appointments with were NOT. So months later i'm driving 1 hour away to another hospital and their program. Most of their people are in network, but some are not.. so some stuff I have to pay out of pocket for. don't rely on just the web site, and don't rely on just 1 phone call to insurance. Every time I call in I get a different answer on stuff. So be careful!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It really depends on YOUR PLAN. I have United healthcare Through my employer ( Hospital Employee) and my surgery is 100% covered, and a supervised diet is not needed. every united healthcare plan is different. the best thing you can do is call the back of your card and see what is covered, and what is not. that is how i found out. wish you all the best :455_rosette:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Your doctors office should tell you if there is any out of pocket expenses that you would have to pay for. The insurance company should be able to tell you that as well! Good luck!!!!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It really depends on YOUR PLAN. I have United healthcare Through my employer ( Hospital Employee) and my surgery is 100% covered, and a supervised diet is not needed. every united healthcare plan is different. the best thing you can do is call the back of your card and see what is covered, and what is not. that is how i found out. wish you all the best :455_rosette:

Same with me 100% covered!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have united healthcare choice plus. I am calling united in the morning and I have asked the bariatric center to find out if the surgery would be covered. On the united healthcare website, there is a tool that will estimate your out of pocket cost for procedures. When I click the tool it suggests that nothing will be covered. My question is has anyone ever used the tool, but then you were approved anyway? I'm not losing hope until I hear from the insurance company, but wanted to ask.

Did you use the estimator tool? That's really what my question is.



Sent from my Z958 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×