Denial

marsha · December 12, 2003

Hi Everyone.

Today I'm very sad. I recieved a denial letter from UHC. They state "benefits are not availale for surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity, including morbid obesity under your plan".

:cry

I guess I'll always be fat.

Marsha

December 13, 2003

Hang in there, Marsha, and maybe you can upgrade to the plan with the benefits. I just went through UHC, so I know they do have plans with them.

This is not the end of it all--there are other plans! Best of luck to you!

Alexandra · December 13, 2003

Hi Marsha,

Is your plan a self-funded plan? By that I mean, do you work for a large company or government outfit? If that's the case, you can make an appeal to the benefits administrator of the company and try appealing that way.

Good luck!!

Lindaloo · December 15, 2003

Please don't give up! Appeal. There are resouces to help you with appealing and how you should write an appeal on obesityhelp.com

My surgeon prepared me to be denied. I he told me it was very unlikely that I would be approved. Then he said that if I really wanted the surgery, I should look at it as an investment in myself. He said the costs would be about $10,000, and if I really was committed, that I should view it as if I were buying a car and finance it myself. I wasn't all that hot on the idea, but my this analogy made sense to my husband and he assured me if I was denied, we'd find a way. I was approved, so I didn't have to deal with that. But I have heard of others who have challenged and got approval.

Good luck.

marsha · December 15, 2003

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your support. My surgeon's office called this morning and told me they are going to help me appeal through the human resources department at my husbands job. The company my husband works for (and my helath insurance is through) is partially owned by United Healthcare (I don't know if this is good or bad). I've decided if I don't get help this way, I'm considering hiring the lawyers at Obesitylaw.com. Has anyone used them?

Lindaloo - If I don't get the approval, I've decided to invest in myself...I'll have to go to Mexico, but I'm going to do it! I told my husband...the surgery will pay for itself overtime (our grocery bill will be smaller :rolleyes: !