I have United Health Care I need help!!!!!Please!!!!

In November of this year I decided to have the gastric bypass surgery. I first called my insurance company United Health Care to see if I was covered for the procedure. They told me I was covered 100%. I found a doc in network, they checked with my insurance to see if I was covered. I finished all of my pre-opp test, and was just waiting for final approval. Yesturday, United Health Care let me know that I had 48 hours to submit proof of 12 months under a doctor supervised diet. This is the first time I have heard of this. I have been over weight for almost 10 years, and suffer from several problems due to my weight. Some of which is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (pcos), insulin resistance, and sleep problems just to name a few. I submitted my records from my doctors office along with a personal letter pleaing my case. Can anyone give me any advice or insight on my insurance problem? Thank you sooooo much!!!

I'm so sorry Alexis.  That is strange, I have UHC and never heard of anything like that.  I didn't have to have any type of supervised diet, it just had to be medically necessary.  Maybe someone with some insurance experience on here can give you some good advise and move forward.  I wish you all the luck and it will work out, just have faith! 

Thank you so much for your insight. I have not been denied yet, so I am praying that will not be the case. I did send all of my doctor records, along with a three page letter on my health problem associated with my obesity. I feel like I can not think of anything else, and I am so stressed out. I have been overweight  my whole life, and have done every diet under the sun. I never felt as if I was truely going to be able to lose the weight, and keep it off. When I was told in November that I was covered 100% I really thought that it was going to happen, finally! I had totally embrased the thought of being thin, and feeling good about myself. I am just soooo upset. I know that most patients considering weight loss surgery have this happen, so I feel like this is normal. Although, that does not give me any confort. This is the first post I have ever written, so I am just glad someone answered! Thank you!!

OK.... it may be 100% covered, but your plan must say that you need to show some proof of certain things. Your employer puts this criteria into their rationale for covering it or not. Criteria can range from showing proof of obesity for >5 years, showing documented alternative methods of weight loss attempts and some people even have to work for their employer for 5+ years prior to them paying for it. So, if all you have to do is show that you have been obese for 1+ years, then just submitting your Md records with documented prior weight should be sufficient. Unfortunately, writing a sob story of your opinion will not help.  OK...I suggest calling your Customer Service #, asking them for the specific wording for the coverage for Morbid Obesity Surgery under your plan. 100% covered means it is covered IF you are a BMI of 40 (that's medical policy). ...Ask for your specifics. Good Luck! 

Most insurers now require a supervised diet for some length of time prior to surgery..mine was 6 months.  If they have that requirement in place, they will most likely not approve you if it was not met.  Mine required 6 months of consecutive visits to my PCP (actually 7 visits as they considered the first one to be a consult) for weights and an exam.  You can't just go in to be weighed..they must write a progress note for each visit.  I've not heard of many people being able to get around the supervised diet requirement.  Instead of calling them, get a hard copy (or online copy) of the actual policy regarding surgery for morbid obesity.  Then you will know exactly what you need to do to get approved.  Your surgeon's office should have known about this requirement, but you really have to be proactive and make sure everyone is doing what they should be doing to get you approved.  Good luck.