NOT COVERED BECAUSE I WORK FOR THE INSURANCE COMPNAY??
So I received a call from the surgery center and they stated my insurance (United Healthcare) doesn't cover any weight loss surgeries for their employees. Can my doctor request that I get it because it's medically necessary or should i just stop wasting my time? :-( I feel very discouraged about the whole thing.
Your employer is the one who makes the decision about what is and is not covered under your plan. One thing that makes it cheaper is to not cover bariatric surgery.
My insurance covered it, but I didn't want to go through the hassle that the insurance carrier would put me through, so I was self pay and went to Mexico. It'll take me a bit to pay it off, but it is so worth it to me.
Jane
I paid $6800 for my surgery. That included everything but the plane ticket to get there. This is the group I went with, and I was VERY pleased with the entire experience. It's OK to get in touch with them. They don't hassle you with phone calls after you contact them. It's up to you whether or not you want to go with them. There is a Mexico forum here on OH, too, and you can get more recommendations there.
http://www.beliteweight.com/index.php
The only thing about going to Mexico is that you'll need your PCP to do any follow-up labs. My PCP was totally on board with the idea. I used this OH site as my biggest source of information. I don't regret a thing.
Jane
Agreed with the above response. If your plan doesn't cover it no amount of complaining, appeals, etc. is going to change that. They do that to avoid cost and you're out of luck. Sorry.
leave it to the insurance company t be the stingiest of them all.
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sadly,they don't care aboutnYour health or anyone's health. It is a business and they are most interested in putting money in Their pockets. The Less they spend on policy holders,the more can Go in their pocket.
No amount of Appeals will get them to cover the surgery if it is excluded. They ha vEnt paid the extra money to buy the rider for their employees so they won't pay for it.
I second MX.
GL
on 11/14/13 6:15 am
Check with your employer's insurance administrator to verify that bariatric surgery and treatment is excluded from your coverage. If it is, there is nothing you can do to change that possibility. Not every insurance policy covers every medical treatment. For example, virtually all policies exclude most plastic surgery and particularly when it is to rectify problems that arose after bariatric surgery. They are considered elective procedures. Sorry, but that's that way it is.
If you do decide to look for alternate insurance coverage, you might have luck finding something less expensive through the insurance programs offered under the Affordable Care Act. I have had UHC coverage for 12 years, but will save close to $400 per month by switching to Blue Shield under the ACA and still have similar benefits.
I think the average cost of RNY is about $20-$25,000 in the US. That will cover a lot of insurance premiums, but you have to very carefully check out the benefits and terms of coverage before you take on a new plan.