UHC CRIMINALS.. 5 year BS.. considering Mexico

[LosingIt08 0]

UHC has yet again denied me for surgery. Apparently my 5 year weight history is not documentented enough..

Any advice?

Considering surgery in Mexico at this point. I am so ready.

WHat do I do?

[Wheetsin 714]

If you aren't able to gain insurance approval, but know this is for you, then advice is to start looking into self pay or financing. Which you're indicating that you're already doing. You could continue the insurance battle, perhaps posting here to get more specific advice, but few things with insurance are fast and if you want it now, you're going to have to pay.

More patients are finding some stateside doctors to be cost-comparable to MX surgeons. I cringe -- not that people go to MX -- but that they do it just to save money. I'd think with something like this, it's best to go to whomever has the best numbers, whomever you feel most comfortable with, etc. For many people that heppens to be MX. I just cringe when people treat surgiery and a lifelong implant like a clearance sale, where the lowest price tag should be the driving factor.

Some options to look into include self-pay, medical loans, re-routing of existing bills, second mortgages, credit cards, etc. (just some of the many options I've seen people use).

[LosingIt08 0]

Well I don't own a home and I am already in debt, the doctor I was supposed to have surgery with will cost me $15,500.

SO far from what I see with Dr. Ortiz in MX the cost is about $8000 and so far I have read great things about him.

I take this very seriously, and my health and well being are important to me and if they wernt I would just hop on a plane and have it done without doing research, I already know I can go for aftercare to my Dr here.

[LynneB 0]

Dont give up on UHC! It took 3 appeals to get them to approve me. They hope you will give up & just go away, but dont let them do that to you! Write them a long letter, consult w/ an atty, do whatever it takes!

[snowbird 2]

Do you have a PCP that can go to bat for you with the insurance company? Does your primary care physician have anything that would help--his knowledge of your past obesity, even if it isn't reflected in your medical records? Lots of times a call from a PCP can push the insurance company along, once they realize there is a medical professional willing to help you fight them.

If you truly think there is nothing further to be done with your insurance, then Dr Ortiz or several other competent Mexican or American doctors are viable alternatives.

On the plus side, you will be saving money on your grocery bills after surgery. Not being smart, just stating a real fact. We spend much less on eating out and groceries since our surgery.