new to board and UHC questions

I was lucky enough to find this board last night in my readings about bariatric surgery.  I have my orientation meeting next week at St Francis.  The lady who handles the insurance claims called UHC and they stated to her the only requirement for approval is a dianosis of morid obesity, this is the same answer I got when I called to inquire.  I am wondering if any of you have experience with UHC and was it actually that easy?  I do not have a five year medical history because up until last May I had not seen a doctor in ten years.  This concerns me that I may be denied for having no medical history.  In your experience have you had to do the six months supervised weight loss?  The surgeons office was told it was not required, but the woman said she has always known UHC to require it.

thanks,

Jeannie

I have UHC and my requirements were..... 5 year weight history.  Not a full medical history, just something officially documenting my weight for 5 years.  Got that from my OBGYN and I was even prego 2 times in that 5 year weight history.  They didn't say anything about that.  Even if you have anything from like Weigh****chers, etc. they would accept that. Letter of "necessity" from my doc stating that Gastric Bypass is recommended or required.  My OB just jotted it down on one of his prescription pads and handed it to my when I went for my yearly. UHC took it no problem.BMI over 40 That was all it took.  I started the process in September and had surgery in February.  The only reason it took that long was because I had a hard time tracking down a year's worth of weight history (had been with my current OB for 4 years).  After the paperwork was submitted they approved in less than 2 days.  Then I had a month of required classes (by my bypass doctor) and then got my date.  But insurance companies are funny.  Sometimes what they require differs from person to person, company to company, etc.  Good lucK!!

UHC approved me over a week end,,,just had to show i was obese, Nancy spoke to them on a friday and on tues i had my approval...nope other than what nancy said about my weight and height was all they had....(and i dealt with CIGNA FOR over 2 years CIGNA SUCKS),,,I  know it depends on your policy and mine was through my husbands work at Carrier,,,,GOOD LUCK,,,,,,

Oh my goodness, I certainly hope it works that well for me.  I have my heart set on having surgery although I am still uncertain which one is best for me.  I thanks you ladies for taking time to answer my post.  Its so cool to have all this expereience right here in Indiana its a great comfort.   Jeannie

Howdy Jeannie... Welcome to the board!  WEll I have UHC and all I needed was weight history, a letter from my doc about my co-morbities and my surgeon required a 2 month no smoking no drinking no drug letter from my PCP. I was from June 11 till Sept 27 before I had my surgery only because of needing to quit smoking for 2 months prior to surgery. Once that letter was given to the surgeon I had my  approval and a date in 2 days! I only had to wait 2 weeks from my approval till my surgeryl I also can tell you that UHC is very good about paying the claims in a timely matter.  I have had no trouble with them at all. Good luck to ya and I will be looking forward to seeing your progress with the approval and surgery!  You will be on that Road Trip in no time! hugggggggs Janene