Does United Health Care Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

United Healthcare Co-Pay or UHC is a fee which is paid to a doctor, clinic or hospital for their services related to weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery is one of the fastest growing weight loss surgeries in America today. According to the American Bar Association (ABA) more than eighty percent of all bariatric surgery performed is paid for by insurance. Weight loss surgery is often necessary for people who need to lose a large amount of weight quickly and are unable or unwilling to engage in other weight loss programs. In many cases, insurance does not cover the cost of bariatric surgery.

If you are one of the unfortunate people who already has a weight problem but have been unable to make drastic changes in your eating habits, you may want to consider weight loss surgery. If you have tried to lose weight through diet and exercise without success, weight loss surgery may be your answer. The decision to lose weight can be a very difficult one. You will have to evaluate your goals, risks involved and the benefits of the surgery before you can make an informed decision on the matter.

United Health Care covers gastric bypass surgery under their preferred payment plan called Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). PPO plans provide affordable coverage even for individuals with a medical condition that limits their ability to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. The health care provider side of PPO plans is managed by an independent organization. This organization shares the responsibility for deciding your monthly premium amount along with your doctor and managing your treatment.

Another affordable health insurance option for individuals who are unable or unwilling to lose weight through diet and exercise is a Medicare Part D Insurance policy. Although Medicare does offer some prescription coverage, this program is not well suited for weight loss. Although the government does contribute to the cost of this program, it is intended to help seniors pay their share of medical expenses. As a result, Medicare Part D insurance premiums are often higher than they would be for an individual who obtained their policy independently.

If you are obese or you know you are, do not let being overweight put you into a financial hardship. There are alternative options for those who desperately need the weight loss surgery. The surgery is more costly than other means but there are other methods you can use to achieve your weight loss goals without undergoing surgery. The most effective way to do so is to use a medically supervised weight loss diet coupled with an appropriate exercise routine.

Even though United Health Care does cover weight loss surgery, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for the surgery. The out-of-pocket expense for the surgery varies from insurance provider to the insurance provider. Make sure you shop around before committing to a particular health insurance provider. If you are not sure whether or not your current insurance plan covers the cost of surgery, check with your human resources department or call your Medicare representative.

Another question you may be faced with is whether or not United Health Care will cover the cost of any pre-surgical care you may need before your surgery. Pre-surgical care can include the prescription medications, surgical strips and other equipment used in the surgery. Some of these items are covered by United Health Care but your physician will need to make that recommendation. You should also inquire about any and all follow-up care you will need once you have surgery. Normally this includes at least one follow-up visit with your physician within thirty days of the surgery. Some health plans require you to pay for this additional care.

Once you know whether or not your current health care plan covers the cost of your weight loss surgery, you may want to check with your Medicare representative. Many people do not realize that Medicare does offer a surgery financing option. Although it does not provide cash directly, it does require you to pay a co-payment every month. As with any other health plan, you will want to compare costs with other companies in order to get the best deal possible. Just make sure to read the fine print so you understand exactly what is covered and exclude in your coverage.