cybergirl5710

I started this journey back in September. I called UHC's bariatric resources back in September and registered for the program. I followed all the rules and started going to meetings at the Bariartics center I had to go to. I called back January and was told that that center wasn't the right one and that I was totally crazy. I couldn't have been told that. I called my HR group and found out that the rules had changed I had to go to a different center--so I got all my paperwork together and went to the new place. If bariatric resources had told me that I would have been OK--but they told me I was crazy--I couldn't have been told that. All of January I called them every day and left a message for my case workers. I called every UHC number I could find to figure who was really my case worked--I left message after message after message. Nothing. I completed the 6-month dedically supervised diet, lost 5 percent of my wieght, got the psch exam, got the letter from my doctor---everything I was suppose to do. Today, I get a letter from Bariatric Resource saying that I never registered for the program therefore I don't get approved at this time. I called the number on the letter, the lady tells me I have to start over and redo the six month medically supervised diet. They cancelled my enrollment in january because I don't "respond" to their phone call. I'm so mad I say all sorts of mean and natsy things to the lady on the phone. I asked to speak to a supervisor--one is suppose to call me back--but based on previous experience--I doubt that they ever will. They have yet to EVER call me back. So, now I have to file--in writing--a dispute. I have no hope that I'll win an appeal. I'm sooo discouraged. My work has been great so far--but they are waiting for me to get through this so I can start a project. They have actually postponed a project to wait for my to get through this--they can't do this for the months I'm sure it was take to dispute this. Thanks for listening, Feeling sad in Atlanta, SAndy

Just wanted to let you know that I've been approved! I was approved June 2th. I'm going a nutrition class today and will hopefully get my surgery scheduled in the next week. In my program--just before surgery--you have to attend a nutrition class that goes over the pre- and post-surgery diet. . .and pay them $600. This class is in addition to the 6-moths supervised diet. After my last post, it took about 2 weeks to get my approval letter and the name of a bariatric's nurse--she was really great by the way. I didn't wait for her to call me--I started calling her right away. She returned my calls the next day every time--I wasn't like the experience in early January. (By the way, in my case, a group called OPTUM, manages the bariatric cases for United Health Care--so if you get a message from OPTUM--answer it--it's probably your bariatrics case worker) I kept my phone with me at all times and thought of an excuse to call the nurse every couple of days. I was so afraid that they would come up with some other reason to reject the claim--but they didn't. Thanks for your support and if you're waiting for approval--I hope you have success also!

I'm in the Douglasville, GA are and I would love to come to these meetings. I just got approval from my insurance company and hope to have my surgery scheduled in a few weeks.

Thanks Josh@xh, That was great information. I also started this journey in 9/23/2013. Between September 2013 and January 2014 I participated at Piedmont (Bariartric Resources gave me the name of the center) In January 2014, Piedmont was dropped from the list and I had to start at Emory. I've participated there since Janauary and I think I've meet all the requirements--but who knows what they'll change tomorrow So far, I've talked to Keesha--very nice--my first case worker and Diana.

Thank you for your kind words sleevexcited! Your postive outlong is very inspiring. I'm committed to the gastric sleeve--I truly believe that this surgery will help me lost the 140 pounds that I need to lose. If I start all over with UHC this would be the third time. I'm very fornature to have a great job with a great boss--but I know that my job can't wait for me to go through this again. I'll appeal but if I lose--I'm going to mexico! Enough is enough.

Hi Soniaj, I will get you in my prayers. Please don't worry--my situation in not the same as yours. I'm sure that the same thing won't happen to you. Sandy

Thank you Soniaj, I'm getting all my paperwork together now for an appeal. I'm considering Mexico as an option also--just in case. I'm such an organized and anal person--I can't believe that has happened. I guess I'm in shock--but then again why should I be surprised? I'm sure this sort of thing has happened to a lot of folks on this forum. I called UHC's bariatric resources back in September 2013 and registered for the program. I followed all the rules and started going to meetings at the Bariartics center they said I had to go to. I called back January and was told that that center wasn't the right one and that I was totally crazy--I couldn't have been told that was the "right" center. I called my company's HR group and found out that the rules had changed I had to go to a different center--so I got all my paperwork together and went to the new place. If bariatric resources had simply told me that the rules had changed--I would have been OK--but they told me I was crazy. I know I'm anal. Not crazy--and have the psch evaluation to prove it All of January I called them every day and left a message for my case worker. I called every UHC number I could find to figure who was really my case worked--I left message after message after message. Nothing. I completed the 6-month medically supervised diet, lost 5 percent of my weight, got the psch exam, got the letter from my doctor---everything I was suppose to do. Today, I get a letter from Bariatric Resource saying that I never registered for the program therefore I don't get approved at this time. I called the number on the letter, the lady tells me they "cancelled" me in January. (Remember, the same time I was calling them endlessly) She says that I have to start over and redo the six0month medically supervised diet. I'm so mad I say all sorts of mean and natsy things to the lady on the phone. I asked to speak to a supervisor--one is suppose to call me back--but based on previous experience--I doubt that they ever will. They have yet to EVER call me back. So, now I have to file--in writing--a dispute. I have no hope that I'll win an appeal. I'm sooo discouraged. My work has been great so far--but they are waiting for me to get through this so I can start a project. They have actually postponed a project to wait for my to get through this--they can't do this for the months I'm sure it was take to dispute this. Thanks for listening, Feeling sad in Atlanta,

soniaj, I don't have the federal UHC. I work for a large private company--Georgia-Pacific. UHC administers the program. I met all the requirements--at least the ones I know about Thanks Sandy

jtickle, I don't think they will fund lap bands anymore--so no the nurse didn't know what she was talking about.

I've had a totally different experience with UHC. I have found Bariatric Resources not to be helpful. They refused me even though I met all the criteria.

I hope the pain goes away very soon!

how are you doing?

I'm preparing for my surgery but I've been thinking a lot about losing weight and being visible again. My husband keeps telling me that people will treat me differently. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I "attracted" a lot of people with serious issues and I don't want to start that again

Hello! I'm in Douglasville.I'm just starting this journey and I expect to have the sleeve surgery in March 2014. My surgeon will be Dr. Charles Proctor with the Buckhead Surgical Associated.