Does United Health Care covers weight loss surgery? According to a representative from United Healthcare, "we do not provide coverage for elective surgeries or those that are considered cosmetic. We will look at your medical condition and your family's history before we determine if surgery is necessary for you or not." So does that mean that you cannot lose weight on your own? Not at all.
Most insurance companies require pre-existing conditions to be declared before they will cover any medical expenses. In the case of Medigap policies, obesity is listed as a pre-existing condition. Therefore, if you are obese, your premiums will probably be higher than those for someone with an average weight. Keep in mind, however, that even if you do declare a pre-existing condition, there may be other limitations in place on the type of health care coverage you can receive. Check your policy carefully. It is possible that the policy may only cover specific types of surgery, so it is a good idea to ask what is covered.
Furthermore, even if you do have insurance through a spouse or family member, it may not pay to have plastic surgery. You may need to purchase individual or family health care insurance, or consider waiting until you get married or have more family members. On the plus side, many insurance companies offer discounts for paying in full or for getting multiple insurance policies.
The next question is - What if I am not obese and do not have a pre-existing condition? Does United Healthcare covers weight loss surgery? According to Joseph Moriarty, executive director for the Insurance Consumer Education Foundation (ICF), "many insurers actually charge quite a bit more for surgery than they would for losing weight on your own. They also tend to deny coverage altogether." Therefore, before you undergo a weight-loss surgery - whether it is cosmetic or reconstructive, you should research whether there are other insurance options available, or if you will have to pay all or some of the cost.
It is also important to find out if your insurance company is going to allow you to use the procedure at all. Many surgeons recommend that people get up to a 10% point reduction in their excess weight in order to reduce their risk of developing health problems. However, you should not expect your insurance provider to be as forgiving. According to Moriarty, "insurers are permitted to deny coverage if they believe the surgery will be unsuccessful - even if it is a completely unnecessary operation." Therefore, it is important to get a quote and compare it to others that you are able to find online.
Another important thing to remember is that it can take a while for your insurance company to approve your weight loss surgery. For example, you should contact your insurance company right away if you decide to undergo the procedure. This means submitting the application as soon as possible. If you wait a few days, your application could get rejected, which would make it more difficult for you to get the treatment. Be aware that waiting a few days can significantly affect the price you pay for insurance!
In addition, you may be required to undergo additional screenings and consultations before the surgery is performed. These can include blood tests, stool samples, and an MRI exam. In order to keep the insurance company happy, you should always be honest with them about the total amount you plan to lose and how you intend to manage your diet once you are finished having the procedure. A good doctor will also discuss any medications you are on and will ask you to stop taking certain medicines that may cause complications once you have completed the surgery.
Lastly, it's important to keep in mind that insurance companies do not provide coverage for surgeries that are considered elective. Typically, these types of procedures are only covered if it can be proven that the surgery is medically necessary. For example, liposuction is only considered necessary if you are a candidate for obesity. The insurance company won't pay for it, and there will be no coverage of other types of surgeries. So, when considering your options, make sure you talk to your insurance company first!
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