Question:
Has any one beendenied because they have two insurance co.'s ?

I got approved by United Health Care and now I find out that the insurance I carry on myself so I can go to a Dr. in my home town is my Primary. So I might not be approved after all. I gave the Dr.'s staff both cards, you would think they would know what to do. I just want to cry. I have all my pre-op appointments and my husband has rescheduled his vacation to be with me.    — LAURA W. (posted on June 2, 2002)

June 1, 2002
If United Healthcare is your husband's insurance, then your insurance carrier is primary on you and all bills for you must be submitted to them first. All you have to do is have your surgeon's office submit for pre-approval of your surgery to your insurance carrier. If your insurance company denies it, keep the letter of denial and have your surgery. United Healthcare will pay the bills. They will probably require that you still have the bills submitted to your insurance company and then you just have to submit the bills AND a copy of the denial on those bills to United Healthcare and they will pay them. If your insurance company DOES approve you for the surgery then you will still have to submit all your bills to your insurance company first for payment. Whatever they don't pay, United Healthcare will pay the balance once you send them your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Either way, your ok to have the surgery. Just get things submitted to your insurance company as soon as possible.
   — Patty H.

June 2, 2002
OOOH OOOH one I can answer!! I work for United Healthcare in the COB department. That is where claims go if you have two insurance companies. If UHC has approved your surgery, you will have it regardless if your primary approves you or not. However, it would benefit you to try and get approval from your insurance as well. There are alot of variables here, but the main thing is you have approval from at least one. My first question is: is the UHC policy a self funded one? If it is not, most likely you will not even be responsible for your copays and your deductible, strictly because you have two ins coverages. This is even if your primary denies. Feel free to send me an email (lynks2me@aol) and I can help explain this kind of coverage further.
   — RebeccaP