Question:
Has anyone had any success or failure getting the WLS approved by United Health Care

I have just switch insurance to UHC in California. Has anyone have any experience with this company. I'm on there PPO.    — rockyj (posted on January 10, 2004)

January 10, 2004
I have UHC and they approved in less than 24 hours once they had the right info. and paperwork. They have paid for everything nearly 100% including pre op tests. Hope this helps!!
   — JennA

January 10, 2004
Hi, i have UHC. I knew i was approved within 3 weeks. I didn't have not one single problem with UHC. Im going to a plastic surgery consult on thursday,and hopefully i get the same results for that. 260/172/150-160
   — sexysag37

January 10, 2004
I had UHC, and I had no problems. It was a great insurance company to work with...actually, I never even once had to talk to them.
   — thekatinthehat

January 10, 2004
A lot of it will depend on your insurance plan. As long as it's not a written exclusion, UHC is easy to work with. I'm a pre-op with UHC and I don't have an exclusion. They've been very good about paying for things -- just make sure you get the pre-approvals needed. My boyfriend has UHC and his policy has a specific written exclusion for WLS.
   — Shayna T.

January 10, 2004
I had no problem getting approved. I was denied the first time(November 2003) because my job didn't pay for the surgery unless you were over the age of twenty-five. So, a month later(December 2003) I turned 25. We submitted the paperwork the day after my bday. I was approved in exactly 15 business days. The only thing that I would advise is that you make sure that they receive your info. Call everyday if you have to, just to make sure. Other than that, they are a great company. I didn't even have to go through the preliminaries these other insurances put people through. UHC just wanted one letter of requesy from the surgeon. While I was waiting on approval, that's when I did my psych eval, nutritional eval, and medical clearance. So when the approval came I would have a date for the surgery, a week later. Great company! Just stay on them. I dealt with the care coordination office in South Carolina. Good Luck!
   — Staci L.

January 10, 2004
I have UHC it took about 6 weeks for approval but you may have to keep on them. Otherwise no problems. Good Luck!
   — Danna S.

January 10, 2004
I have UHC and was approved the first time my paperwork was sent in. It took almost 6 weeks for the approval, I ended up calling them several times because I had my surgery date already set and it was getting close. They paid almost 100% of everything, including blood tests pre and post op.
   — tazfan

January 10, 2004
I had UHC PPO Texas and I was approved in about 4 weeks with no problems. I am only 23 and had no co-morbities so I thought I would have a problem. Glad I didn't! Good Luck!
   — Mindy B.

January 10, 2004
I have UHC. It took 4 months to get approved. Just give them a call and ask if the surgery is covered on your policy.
   — Renee B.

January 13, 2004
I had the UHC PPO and was approved with just my BMI and diet history (plus whatever letter the wl surgeon submitted). I was busy gathering letters from my pcp, etc, when they called me to congratulate me on my approval. I think they are wonderful. my friend had the epo and was approved quickly as well. good luck!
   — Donya P.

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