I just went to my intial visit, and was told that my insurance request would be sent in, so now I am just waiting to see what happens next. If anyone out has had the band done with Unisted Healthcare. Please give me some insight on how long it took you to get approved?

I was originally denied, appealed, 8 months later got my band. But every case varies. Some are a lot sooner!

Please use this waiting time to start walking regularly, drinking lots of Water (but not w/meals), and trying to make healthier food choices (lean, moist meats, vegetables). This will make your transition a lot easier. Best of luck to you!!!

I have United Healthcare. They said they never received the paperwork from my doctor, so I had the doctor fax the info up. It then took about 48 hours to get approval. I got verbal approval over the phone and my doctor got the letter a few days later. Good luck!

I also have United Healthcare, I havent heard anything from them yet.. but its been about a week and a half since my first appt. I have good hopes though, being UHC was the one who gave me the name of my Dr. Good Luck!

Hey I just wanted to say hi and welcome. I don't have that ins. but I wish you luck and I hope you find the answers your looking for.Yell us more about your self . Read some of the old posts they have helped me alot.

Well, I hope your wait has not been as long as mine. The doctors office submitted my paperwork to UHC in October. I called them on Jan 3 to get a status and they told me it was at review board level. So hopefully I will hear something soon. Good luck to you.

Tanya Good luck on your approval too!

Thanks Jamie,

Good luck to you too and I hope your wait wont be much longer.

Thank you Tanya best of luck to us both!

No matter how long it takes, we're lucky that we have one of the health insurances that do cover it!! It's definitely worth the wait!!

I was approved within 10 days of my paperwork being submitted. My doctor's office actually had the approval and called me before I even knew it had been approved. I didn't get the letter until about a week later. Good luck!!!

ahh I called my UHC just a bit ago and they said they havent processed anything for me yet... then again it only been 7 busniess days.. hehe maybe i called to soon they said they might have something by the 24th.. So lets just see..

Hi Trish and others

I have united Health Care and was approved after three weeks. I was told it could take up to six weeks but thank goodness it did not. However, although my initial surgery was scheduled for October of 2004, it had to be put off because there was microscopic blood in my urine and I was experiencing severe back pain. Once I got this problem cleared up I was rescheduled for Jan of 2005 ( It was easier for me to take some time off work at this time). United Health Care will approve you and I don't think it will take long at all. This insurance company is smart enough to realize how much $$ will be saved by approving WLS. Hopefully others will catch on. Hope you will be banded soon!!!!!!

Thanks SHAZ... Glad you got everything A-OK with the Ins. I hope its as easy with mine and any UHC people out there.... all we can do is wait.

I seems as though a few days turns into a few weeks... all will be good..

Thanks again for the info

I have UHC and have surgery Tuesday... just got notice they denied me when I was approved all along over the phone and actually switched from UHC EPO to PPO to increase my benefits so that i could have this surgery..

After about 30 calls over the past week, it turns out that they filled out the wrong paperwork for care coordination to accept my claim. And that as of 2005 they have new standards for approval for morbid obesity surgery.

Today, They are requiring me to provide them not only with the 12 tests that i have completed ( abdominal ultrasound, ekg, bloodwork, primary care work, nutrional, psych exam etc... ) but also need a medical record from at least 5 years ago stating i was diagnosed morbidly obese. Unfortuntaly i have only had my primary care for 4 years and went to college and used the Health Services Clininic there... no primary care.

I am praying my family doctor from when I was in High School has some record of this.. they actually are searching through their medical records in an offiste storage facility as I type to find my records... in hopes there might be something in them about me being obese... Geez.. Ive been overweight my entire life.... they just wont belive me..

Its been very stressful and Im not going to give up.. but the stress i dont need after 6months of dealing with them and a surgery date of Jan 25th...

The best advice I can give is Call them every single day... that is what i have been doing since Jan. 4th. It has helped because unfortunatly, they change their 'stories' everytime I call and finally i was able to find one agent who gave me their extention and has been helping out a lot.

It will be covered.. It should be covered... Keep on them and dont give up.. I wont

Jippee, I got my approval letter yesterday from UHC. I've been waiting a while, not sure what took so long but glad to say I'm on my way!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana