Hi everyone. I have been lurking around on this website for a while but have never posted. I was too afraid to post before getting approved and jinx myself into being denyed.

I spent a lot of time reading other people's insurance stories, looking to see where I might stand with mine. There are so many variations with each company as to what is required to get this surgery: Six-month supervised weight loss programs, psych evals, BMI over 40 and co-morbidies...I fully expected for my approval (or denial) to take a few months.

All I can say now is "WOW!" I went to the seminar with the surgeon on January 24th and my paperwork was submitted to the insurance on January 28th. I took the advice of another "bandster" on this forum and called the care coordinator at UHC daily. I was approved on Thursday, January 31st!

I didn't even get to turn in the letter that I had requested from my PCP stating why I should have this procedure. I do have a BMI over 40 and a couple of co-morbidies, but no clinicals were documented!! Just what I wrote on the paperwork at the surgeon's office.

As strange as all of this was to me, I am grateful to be approved. It is insane to read about people on here with the same insurance who are jumping through hoops to get approved when there's those of us who get approved with very little effort. I know it boils down to what your company will agree to pay for (and with a weight loss surgery exclusion on the policy, it keeps the rates down...or so sayeth my human resource dept. ).

I was glad my husband was offered UHC. We pay double what we were paying for Aetna and we have a $4000.00 out-of-pocket max for the family, but it still beats trying to pay cash for this surgery.

Good luck to all of you out there "fighting the fight". I wish you the best and hope for your speedy approval.

Sorry to hear about the insurance. But if you can self pay, absolutely go for it.

I have been waiting lots longer than a few days with UHC. My surgery is scheduled already and I know they were questioning my wight history.

I called and it wasnt in the computer yet so the person I spoke to said not to worry just yet.

ANyone have this experience?

Also how do you get the case manager on the phone???

I never had to get them on the phone but I didn't get my approval till 2 days before. Have you doctors office keep calling but i wouldn't worry yet. My doctors office told me that UHC waits till the last minute...

Actually, I just went through this. The direct number for their Care Coordination Department is 866-365-3701. (not sure if you have that number) And I had been calling every day finally, I got someone who actually helped me. She told me that after the "review" had been in their system for 10 days she could "accelerate" the process so I would have an answer in 24-48 hours. That was done for me Tuesday afternoon and first thing yesterday morning (thursday) I found out I was approved!

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!