Question:
Will UHC pay for Hernia repair AND tummy tuck (but can't use that word)

I just found out I have a hernia and I got excited because I thought I might now be able to get a tummy tuck (or whatever the correct word is). Any of you have United Health Care POS that has paid for hernia and tummy tuck? My flab flops over my pubic area but not down to my knees. I'm really starting to get depressed. I hope some of you have had both procedures and have United Health Care. Let me hear from you...please.    — Betty Todd (posted on June 17, 2003)

June 17, 2003
They'll should pay for the hernia, but my UHC Select POS has twice denied my t.t. request for medical necessity. Read your exclusions in your policy; they're pretty specific in mine. So I'm going self-pay. Some hernias aren't detected until you're in surgery, so if I have one UHC will pay for the cost of just that. Good luck!
   — scottiemaam O.

June 17, 2003
The word is panniculectomy. I don't know about your insurance, but if they won't pay for that no matter what, you might talk to the surgeon and see if he/she will do the two at the same time. That way the insurance will pay for the hospital and anasthesia and the part of the surgeon's fees that go to do the hernia. Then you'd just have to pay for the panniculectomy part. It's worth looking into, but call your insurance company and ask whether they'll cover the panni. Also, if you're having any problems because of it, skin rashes or infections, back pain, difficulty walking, etc., go to your PCP and get it documented. That can help in getting insurance approval.
   — garw