New to forum and in dictation - ThinnerTimes

Fergie · 07-17-2004, 06:46 PM

Hello!
I am new to the forum. I have completed my test and I have been in dictation for a week now. Anxiously awaiting any news. I have United healthcare insurance. Does anyone know chances of approval with that insurance? If they deny will they pay for the hospital if I pay for the doctor?

Christina · 07-17-2004, 07:06 PM

Fergie,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on going into dictation. Do you have an HMO or PPO? If you have an HMO it is up to the medical group that you are currently with. Good luck to you and please ask any and all questions that may be entering your mind as you finish the final steps of this process..

Fergie · 07-18-2004, 11:12 AM

Thanks for responding. I have United Healthcare PPO. What do you think my chances are?

pambragg · 07-18-2004, 03:59 PM

Hi Fergie. Welcome aboard. I am not sure about how your insurance works, but wish you luck. This forum and the people on it are incredible. There were so many of my pre-op questions answered before ever asked them. It is an amazing source of info and most especially support. Let any of us know if you have any questions or just want some reassurance.

bridgetgirl · 07-19-2004, 10:01 AM

Usually surgeon fees and hospital fees go hand in hand when requesting precertification from your insurance carrier. They will not approve one without the other. So far we have been on a pretty good streak here in the forum.... dont worry, you will come out on top. Glad to have you, please dont be a stranger, I look forward to meeting you soon!

sandi · 07-19-2004, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie

Hello!
I am new to the forum. I have completed my test and I have been in dictation for a week now. Anxiously awaiting any news. I have United healthcare insurance. Does anyone know chances of approval with that insurance? If they deny will they pay for the hospital if I pay for the doctor?

Welcome to the gang!!

I can't help you with your insurance question, but, I can certainly welcome you to the most incredible group of people you could ever want to have on your side going into this process of WLS! You're in good hands!
Good Luck and God Speed~

Fergie · 11-11-2004, 03:23 PM

I was denied coverage by United Healtcare due to an exclusion. Now I am changing jobs in order to try and find coverage for my surgery. I am an RN, and considering working for Palomar Hospital who has Healthnet Insurance. Before I accept the position, does anyone know if there insurance covers bariatric surgery? I don't think it would be appropriate to say, show me your insurance and I will let you know if I accept the job. Most businesses are protective of their insurance information. Help!

sandi · 11-11-2004, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie

I was denied coverage by United Healtcare due to an exclusion. Now I am changing jobs in order to try and find coverage for my surgery. I am an RN, and considering working for Palomar Hospital who has Healthnet Insurance. Before I accept the position, does anyone know if there insurance covers bariatric surgery? I don't think it would be appropriate to say, show me your insurance and I will let you know if I accept the job. Most businesses are protective of their insurance information. Help!

I can tell you this about Healthnet~ Last summer, of 2003 when my cardiologist first recommended to me to have weightloss surgery, I had Healthnet insurance!! Within TWO WEEKS I had approval from them for the referral to see Dr. Callery and of course then to the educational seminar. Within only a few months following that all heck broke lose and my husband lost his job of 25 years due to the company moving out of state and we had to change insurance companies. There went my approval, we had to start over. Since then, I had to jump through every hoop imaginable, sometimes TWICE but, I was bound and determinded to have this surgery, and I KNEW that it was in the Lord's hands and that *I* was also. I'm almost 4 months out from the most wonderful decision I've ever made in my life and I'm down 87 pounds as of this morning!
Good luck with choosing the right job Fergie! From one nurse to another, we do what we have to do that's best for us, ya know?
Good luck and God speed!!

Fergie · 11-11-2004, 05:42 PM

Thank you for your input. Like you I am, determined to have the surgery. It is a life saving decision for me. I have many job offers and the determining factor will be if the surgery is covered. It is just the ideal of how to pursue finding out if the insurance covers the surgery without jeopardizing obtaining the job. I am fortunate to have a profession to be able to pick and choose. I have been working of this for over a year, and I am determined to not wait another year.

sandi · 11-11-2004, 06:44 PM

You're welcome Fergie!!
You can tell by my pre-surgical weight, and my present weight that I still have a very long way to go, and this for me too, was a life-saving procedure, something that I wish had been recommended to me many years ago, but, it wasn't, so, I am taking each day, each moment of the rest of my life, and making it the very best it can possibly be.
YOU do the same!!!
Grab that golden ring Fergie, and hold on for dear life, you deserve it!!!