going from Aetna to United Healthcare PPO

Does anyone know if there is a way to go onto United Healthcare's website to find any information about their coverage of WLS? I am switching jobs starting tomorrow. My new insurance will start on Feb 1. I have heard several people say that United Healthcare does cover WLS but I would like to know what their stipulations are. For instance I can go onto Aetna's website and navigate my way to the WLS coverage and what they require like 6 month diet, 5 yr weight history, etc. United's website isn't as user friendly as Aetna's, at least to me. Thanks in advance for any help that is offered.

Find out from your employer. Ask them for a copy of the SPD or Summary Plan Description. Look under the section titled: Morbid Obesity Surgery. If it says it pays 90%, then it will cover it if you meet medical policy criteria of a BMI > or = to 40. It may have certain specifics however. If you call Customer Service or log onto www.myuhc.com, you most likely will have to wait until you are eligible for benefits prior to learning of what your benefits are.  Your insurance company covers or does not cover the surgery based upon what the employer chooses. It's not specific for UHC or Aetna, etc...it's what the employer picks! Good luck.  

I have United Healthcare PPO, I was told at first that the only requirments where 40 bmi or 35 bmi and one health problem. That was in November, I have completed all of my pre-opp test I had planned on having the surgery this week. United Healthcare contacted my doc's office last week to let them know that I also needed a 12 month diet history under a doc's care!! I am beside myself upset. I fax all the information my doc had along with a detailed letter about my medical history. I just begged!! I should hear something this week on their ruling. Please pray for me!! Sorry to give bad news, but I wish I would have known this in November.

I have a UHC as well.  Mine is a PPO through Union Pacific.  I called and was told that same thing - nothing about a supervised diet!  Please keep us updated on what happens.  Also - what employer is the insurance coverage through?

Beware! I thought UHC covered WLS too. I've had it for years and co-workers have had WLS through UHC. After consulting with the dr, having tests run, etc..., I found out today that my policy doesn't cover WLS! I was shocked. I have UHC Choice Plus.  Now I'm going to have to find another way to get this done. I sure can't afford it money-wise, but I don't know that I can afford not to have it. Pandacat

Is UHC Choice Plus different from employer to employer? I was told that it did cover gastric bypass but not Lap Band.  This is what I was told from the Customer Service folks.  If they say it is covered, isn't it covered? Why would your Choice Plus not cover it be mine would?  Or have I been miss-informed?  What answers  can you trust?

From what I understand, it is based on what your employee wants to include. I didn't check with my H/R people-I just assumed it was still covered. When I received my denial letter, I called UHC. They told me my employer no longer had it in the policy. If both are telling you it's covered, then it is covered. UHC will not let you go into surgery thinking it is covered when it is not. You will have the confirmation letter from UHC letting you know they will cover it.

Call UHC and ask them if they cover Bariatric surgery under your policy. Mine does, but not the surgery I want (I Appealed). If you give them the specific cpt code of the surgery you want, they will tell you if your specific policy covers it. You can   Google "Bariatric surgery cpt code". Good luck!