ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - View Single Post

rappaport · 01-21-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smurfswifey

I also have UHC and am just trying to get started with all of this. I actually called the insurance company to see if they could tell me anything as far as what the requirments were...the lady that answered the phone was NOT helpful at all. All she told me is I should send in some letters from my doctor. There has to be more that I have to do than that. She was soooo vague it was ridiculous! I was reading some of the other post in this thread, and I have a question. I haven't been to the doctor on a steady basis for a long time, because up until now I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford to go otherwise. I have been overweight my whole life, but don't really have a doctor supervised weight loss plan on file with my doc, is that going to be a problem?? by the way I have a bmi of 60, so its not like I am slightly overwieght or anything.the only doctor supervised weight loss I have is when I was 12. I go to the seminar in 3 days.

It varies what's needed based on individual situations. My employer actually required more than UHC. Your doctor will have to draft a letter stating that you are morbidly obese, the co-morbidities you have, and how they are affecting your life. UHC typically requires that you have on record with your doctor a six-month weight loss effort. I wasn't specifically on one with my doctor, but I told him I had been on Atkins, so he used that. Talk to your doctor on that. If he/she is seriously trying to help you, they will work something out. On top of that, your surgeon will require certain tests be performed as well. UHC may seem a pain in the beginning, but as long as you have all the pre-requisites fulfilled, you will get approved quickly.

Good luck and hang in there. It's about six month process that can seem like forever, but it's well worth the wait.