United Health Care - Choice Plus - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

MattR · 10-13-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvl0rg4n

So one rep is telling you that you do need a diet and one is telling you that you don't?

I would call and request to speak with a manager or something and have them fax you over the requirements.

No. The deal is my doctor is now saying that I need this 6 month supervised diet because they found out that as of Sept.17th, 2009 UHC now requires this.

But when I called and talked to a rep at UHC about my benefits they do not mention the supervised diet as a requirement. I did explain to the rep that my doctor came across some information that I did in fact need to have a supervised diet for 6 months and the rep said that as far as what hes see's on my plan. It is not a requirement.

I'm going to call and see if they are willing to fax over some documents explaining my true requirements.

poet_kelly · 10-14-2009, 07:34 AM

I suggest you always get stuff from the insurance company in writing whenever you can. I have had the experience of one rep telling me one thing and another telling me something else. I've had one person tell me something would be covered and someone else tell me it's not. Better to get it in writing.

Kelly

deeteeceecee · 10-17-2009, 09:56 PM

Hey Matt,

I when I started trying to have wls in 2007 I had a doctor that told me that I needed to have a 6 month supervised diet an it was not true. I later found out that was just something that he required not UHC. I called sevral time to UHC and they told me that I didn't have to and they told me to go on my job website and I could print the requirements and show the surgeon office.

So I would get my info. in written an prove it to them..Good luck..

no_more_big_order · 10-18-2009, 08:31 AM

Hi Matt... I also have United Health.... I have the EPO I believe... I have to be in Network... which is great since most are!
I found calling them a bit frustrating...
However, my surgery was approved in literally about a week!
I did not have to do any physician supervised diets.
The best way to find the information is to have your doctor attain this... just as many have suggested. I was told that United has a contract where they "deal" with the surgeon and the patient should not need to call! Although I still did!
Also... I was really worried about the 5 years of weight records... the one thing I had that I believe really helped was weight records from 12+ years ago when I was a kid... and was able to submit this to prove a history of obesity and suggested weight loss!
Good Luck with the approval process.....
Also... one word of caution to everyone going through the approval process right now... If you have private pay insurance through your employer and your surgery will be in 2010... you want to be very certain of any new provisions and changes to your insurance plan in 2010. Most open enrollment periods start in November so all information should be readily available! Most insurance departments within your surgeon's office will also be able to assist! :-)

poet_kelly · 10-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Personally, I would call the insurance company myself. As we can see, doctors sometimes have the wrong information. I would want to make sure for myself what the requirement were and that my surgery would be covered. If you get wrong information from the doctor, you might not get approved. Or you may end up with a big bill that aren't expecting.

Kelly

calypsogirl16 · 10-28-2009, 02:13 AM

Wow... I am glad I found this thread! I also have UHC Choice Plus... I am at the beginning of the process- I just got the paper for my surgeon's office to verify my insurance coverage before I even go in for a consultation. I at least have an idea on what to expect!