United healthcare insurance approval process

[anm1979 15]

Does anyone know if United healthcare has a time limit on how long you can wait to have your surgery after you have been approved? I will submit for approval the week of September 5th but need would like to go out of town before the surgery the second week of October.

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[KristenLe 5,979]

@@anm1979 It would not be that soon that you'd have to worry about it. I don't have United - but my insurance approved back in June and I'm not even scheduled for surgery yet.

[anm1979 15]

Wow, thanks. I had a friend approved in July and she had it two weeks later with a different insurance

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[Armygalbonnie 643]

@@KristenLe WHY don't you have a surgery date yet???

[anm1979 15]

I have my last nutrition visit this Friday, then the doctor will submit me for approval after thats

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[higher 966]

@@anm1979 I have UHC and they do have a limit on it. IIRC it was 6 months but you should double check with your specific plan.

[anm1979 15]

Thanks! @@higher

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[kingsmommy14 63]

I have United Healthcare community plan and I had to do 6 months of weight management my last class was July 20th and 2 weeks later I got approved I'm just waiting for a date

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[Steven1954 89]

@anm1979. I have oxford health plan. In NY. From the date of approved surgery they give you three months. I hope that answers your question

[anm1979 15]

Yes @@Steven1954 thank you! That gives me plenty of time

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[unbreakableCD 5]

When the office submits your prior auth request, they have to give a tentative surgery date. The office will call the insurance co back to update the prior auth w/ the correct surgery date. Prior auths can take a while for gastric surgery. Also, don't ever b afraid to call the insurance co yourself (prior auth dept) to request a status update &/or to ask them questions. As the patient, u hold half the responsibility in knowing your benefits and ensuring all is in place. (Granted the bariatric offices do these type prior auths everyday & are very aware of the process, all the red tape & all the hoops they need to jump thru).

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Edited August 26, 2016 by unbreakableCD