Hi! I'm new to the site and was wondering if anyone has dealt with United Healthcare (Caterpillar)? I've been to see the surgeon and after talking with the adminstration was told that in order for United Healthcare to pay, I would have to have five years of documentation along with a BMI of 40. So, I'm guessing, I'm already going to be denied, since my BMI has never been 40. Has anyone ever been denied because their BMI was 39 and not 40? Thank you!:confused2:

I forgot to add my email address:

lauramcpherson@sbcglobal.net

Thanks

soon2bskinny

I forgot to add my email address:

lauramcpherson@sbcglobal.net

Thanks

Acadiamom- Good for you. You bring up a good point. I know my employer also has a corporate advocate that I could have taken advantage of if I needed it. So for those of you that you know WLS is covered in your policy and you are still getting push back from the insurance company you may want to check and see if there is someone at your work that you can contact to keep things moving. Good luck on the 19th!

I have the same insurance as you it sounds like and i was approved in about 10 days. My bmi was 40 with no real co-morbidities. However i had gerd, arthritis in my right hip, and lower back pain. I had my dr type a letter for my insurance to go along with the surgeons letter saying that i was a good candidate for the surgery. I believe this helped alot. Good luck and DONT GIVE UP!! i was banded october 23rd and ive already lost 20 lbs!!

I sent you several e-mail and the letter you were wishing to use for getting approved. I hope that this will help you out. If you have any questions just ask.

Chris

Soon2bskinny

Hi Chris, I received all your emails and I really appreciate how qick you sent those to me. I appreciate the support and am ready to start my journey.

Thanks again.

I also have UHC. I was well over 40 BMI and I had Type II diabetes and high blood pressure. My doctor sent in my records and I was approved in about two weeks. It seems crazy to me tat these insurance companies want us to get fatter before they will approve anything.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. My plans for surgery are on hold at the moment. I spoke to my nutritionsist and she wants me to wait a year and give her a chance to help me with the right diet and portion control; which I am more than willing to do. I will still confirm if my insurance will approve me when my insurance kicks over to UHCP in january.

You are doing great!! Congratulations!

:biggrin:

Good luck with your new plan soon2be. I hope that she is able to work out a plan for you. I think you could do it and also have the band at the same time. I would not wait if you can get approved right-a-way. I agree work on it while getting approved but not to wait. I am so glad that I did it when I did and pleased with the results.

Chris

This is vry encouraging I'm switching form Aetna to UHC and my coordinator from the surgeons office taalked like it may go quick with UHC. I didn't take much stock in what she said but now it sounds promising....thanks

I work for AT&T and was turned down. I do have documented co mobities. I had four years BMI over 40 and one year 35.7.. They said flat you have to have all years over 40... I am appealing. Any info any one has would be greatly appreciated. KingsFan I would be interested in knowing if you are approved.. and if you had the five years BMI

Did they say that it had to be 5 years in a row or just 5 years. I had some odd dates and was approved. I can forward you the letter that I used to get approved 2 years ago. The wife had problems with her letter because of her on doctor and so we went to her OBGYN and he did the same letter and faxed it in and was approved. Not really sure what the problem was. Good luck and if you have any questions just ask.

Chris

They did not say it had to be five years in a row. It dawned on me last night that I could probably go back to prior years.. I would love to see the letter you used. My email is necholeheadley@gmail.com Anything you can send is greatly appreciated...

OK.. I work for AT&T as well. Please post if either of you get approved. I've working through an appeal now.

Hi. I am new to posting on this site, but not browsing LOL! Anyway, I also have UHC, and I checked online to see that my insurance does allow gastric bypass surgery so I'm assuming that they allow the lap band. Anyway, like others, mine says I have to have a BMI of 40, but I only have a BMI of 37. I know I am getting on up in there into high cholesterol and I believe I have some form of sleap apnea. I have not been to the doctor in over a year, but the doctor I used to go to was trying to help me lose weight with pills. I did loose about 30 lbs. but gained it all back. I don't think it's been 5 years since I had been seeing that dr. but it would be close.

I am wondering if there is any chance I could be approved or should I not waste my time. I know I will probably try anyway, I just hate to be shot down. I want to stop the weight gain before I get too big. I know I'm big now, but I also know it can get a lot worse.

Edited September 13, 200916 yr by Olivia23
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