New here! Question for people with United Healthcare.

[nicbug1974 7]

Hi my name is Nicole. I am in the process of getting VSG surgery. I have finished all the insurance and surgeron requirements. I just waiting for the insurance approval. Currently I'm 5'4" 230lbs, when I started the process in February I was 247.

I have a question for people with United healthcare choice plus. How long did they take to respond to approve your surgery? If you were denied what was the reason? Thanks in advance!!

Nicole

[cindymg 629]

I have UHC Choice Plus. I was advised to call to speed up the approval. I did, told them I had a surgery date set, and I had the approval a week later.

A warning: I had to delay my surgery about a month because of work conflicts. The morning of my surgery, my surgeon told me that the insurance company tried to weasel out of paying because of the delay. There was no date in the letter they sent to me, so I don't know why changing the surgery date would be a problem. Anyway, my surgeon got the surgery re-approved.

So, make sure you stay on top of UHC.

After the surgery, they assigned me a nurse coordinator who checked in on me periodically. I actually didn't need any help, as I had no complications or any problems.

Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

[nicbug1974 7]

Wow! I can't believe they would try that on you! I have a nurse coordinator already, they gave me one when I called to say I was interested. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no hold ups. Of course my surgeon's assistant/nurse is not very good at calling back or contacting me. But I've found ways around her, haha! Thanks for you info!

[gia24 85]

I have UHC choice plus too and after all the requirements which took 6 months. It took 5 days once my paperwork was submitted to them to get my approval. My surgery date is August 19th. Good luck.

[nicbug1974 7]

Wow 5 days! That's awesome! Hope mine goes that quickly! Hope your surgery goes super smooth! Congrats!

[gia24 85]

Yeah, I was told 14 business days and it happened to be a lot sooner than I expected! So good luck! keep us posted!

[nicbug1974 7]

Got my approval today and my surgery date!! September 17th!!

[nnegrete329 40]

I have UHC choice plus.... Did you all have to do ALL the requirements listed online? Who did you see for the "excersice therapist"? I'm still trying to figure out what that is. It also says a minimum of 3 months to see them but 6 month supervised diet

[gia24 85]

Got my approval today and my surgery date!! September 17th!!

Congratulations!

[gia24 85]

I have UHC choice plus.... Did you all have to do ALL the requirements listed online? Who did you see for the "excersice therapist"? I'm still trying to figure out what that is. It also says a minimum of 3 months to see them but 6 month supervised diet

I had to do all requirements, not sure what an exercise therapist though..never had to see one. Just the 6 months of weight loss attempt, cardiologist clearance, pulmonary clearance, psychological evaluation, primary care referral letter, nutritionist visit and lastly attended class es the surgeon required. After I completed all this then my paperwork was submitted.

[nicbug1974 7]

I have UHC choice plus.... Did you all have to do ALL the requirements listed online? Who did you see for the "excersice therapist"? I'm still trying to figure out what that is. It also says a minimum of 3 months to see them but 6 month supervised diet

I called them and they took all my information and assigned me a nurse case manager who called me back with the requirements. Those were the 6 month diet (weather with weight watchers, jenny craig, or with your doc) had to have seen doc at least 6 months and they didn't have to be consecutive. And they required a psych eval. When I started my BMI was 40.9 but since I've done the 6 months diet my BMI is more like 38 or 39 so with my insurance they require you to have at least 2 co-morbidities. And I do, mine are high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and pre diabetes. The insurance requirements for me were easy. It was the surgeon who asked for a ton more, he wanted me to see a nutritionist, get upper gi, blood work, ultra sound of abdomen, and an EKG. Once it was all done and paperwork in it was Aug 6, and insurance approved it today!

[nnegrete329 40]

I had to do all requirements' date=' not sure what an exercise therapist though..never had to see one. Just the 6 months of weight loss attempt, cardiologist clearance, pulmonary clearance, psychological evaluation, primary care referral letter, nutritionist visit and lastly attended class es the surgeon required. After I completed all this then my paperwork was submitted.[/quote']

Well at first I thought maybe it was a personal trainer but as I googled it, it sounds more like physical therapy. I guess I'm just going to have to call and find out. That is the one thing that has been stressing me.

How much weight did u loose in the six months if you don't mind me asking?im scared of loosing too much and then not qualifying (I know I know I'm super paranoid lol)