Back in the Saddle

bandmenow · December 1, 2003

Well folks, I'm back in the saddle again. A few months ago I gave up on having the lapband done after I discovered that my insurance compnay wouldn't pay and there wasn't anyway I could pay for the surgery myself. But then a new light opened from the heavens.One day my husband walked into the kitchen and behold,in his hands were new insurance papers his employer had switched to last month! Now, I have heard great and horrible things about this compnay: United Health Care. I'm not sure if our plan will cover the surgery. But I have researched lapbands surgeries that have been covered by the company and so I am aware that it can either be a pleasant expereince or a disaster. But at least there is hope! So wish me luck! Who knows, this could be it? Or, I could end up back at my last plan, scraping change from underneath my sofa cushions! Whatever it takes!

Sunni · December 2, 2003

Hey Bandmenow~

I have United Health Care EPO plan and they approved my surgery in 1 week. I also had many of the co-morbidities they required as being medically necessary. My surgery date is this Wednesday 12-03-03

Call them and see if your group plan covers Bariatric Surgery. Good Luck!! and keep us posted :rolleyes:

Bonnie

12-03-03

Dr Ronnie Keith

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Almost a Bandie :cool:

quakergirl · December 2, 2003

Hi again. I had been wondering what happened to you since I remember your previous posts here. I was approved by UHC, so I hope your plan will cover the band too. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

bandmenow · December 2, 2003

THanks everyone for the encouragement! All I know at the moment is that my insurance with UHC is PPO. I will fnd out more Friday! Think happy thoughts!

_

Nichole

Lioness81970 · December 2, 2003

Hi - I also have UHC - EPO and I had my surgery on 11/25. They approved me with no problems. From what I hear, UHC is very band friendly so that is a good thing!!!

bandmenow · December 2, 2003

I noticed you guys all had UHC, EPO. I know that my plan is under PPO. I'm curious as to how this might change things a bit?! I'm looking foward to getting my package of information in the mail on Friday, hopefully! THanks for all the prep!

:rolleyes:

Nichole

Alexandra · December 2, 2003

The phrases EPO and PPO don't have any bearing on what is and isn't covered, generally. They refer to whether the plan offers out of network benefits. (EPO is sort of another way of saying non-referred HMO, where there would be no out-of-network benefits). With either plan, you definitely want to stay in-network to get maximum coverage. With a PPO you also have the option of getting services out of network, which would be covered to a lesser extent.

bandmenow · December 2, 2003

Hey THanks, Alexandra! That makes a lot of sense now that you explained the whole, EPO vs. PPO issue.

Nichole

Chickadee · December 3, 2003

Hi Nichole,

I had plans all made to go to Mexico to have the surgery done, when my husband walked in with United Health Care papers too! We signed up and I'm waiting, quite impatiently I might add, until January 1, when the policy takes effect. I called before we signed up and gave them our group number to be sure they cover Lap band surgery, and they do! Give the 800 number a call to see if your plan covers it.

Becky

bandmenow · December 8, 2003

Wow Chikadee.....I can't imagine how mad you would have been if you had gone to Mexico to pay for the surgry and then months later find out you had United Health Care! LOL

THat was close!

Good luck!