Does United Health Care Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

Does United Healthcare Cover Weight Loss Surgery? It is important to understand what the different insurance plans for weight loss surgery may cover. It is important to also understand what you may not be covered for in your particular plan. While weight loss surgery can be a life-saving procedure, it is important to understand what the limitations are and whether surgery will be covered.

The two broad types of insurance that cover weight loss procedures are catastrophic and managed care. Catastrophic insurance policies pay for all surgical procedures, with absolutely no questions asked. Managed care policies pay a pre-arranged monthly fee to a participating physician or medical facility and the policyholder is responsible for paying for any non-surgical procedures that are performed in a hospital setting. Many times these two forms of insurance will be presented to the same medical provider at the same time so that providers do not have to compete for the same patients.

There are several different plans offered by United Healthcare for elective surgery. In some situations, the patient will pay a portion of the bill. In other cases, the insurance company will pay the entire bill. It is important to understand how each of these scenarios works so that you will know which option will work best for your needs. Some patients may be able to pay more and gain more comprehensive coverage while others may end up paying less or have limited coverage.

In addition to being offered catastrophic or managed care plans, some patients will be offered both. This can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the patient's situation. If a person is just several pounds over their ideal weight, they may be able to find coverage from a catastrophic plan that allows for partial payment of the weight loss surgery costs. If the person is obese and considered to be a medical risk, there may not be a choice. However, many patients are able to switch from catastrophic coverage to a more comprehensive plan in order to get the surgery they need at a price they can afford.

When it comes to coverage of surgery, a few things remain the same. The hospital stay is the most expensive part, followed by the surgery itself. If a patient has to stay at the hospital for any amount of time after their surgery, they may be responsible for additional charges. Recovery time and medication are also to be paid for by the insurance company.

There are several choices that patients have when it comes to weight loss surgeries. They include gastric bypass surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and hiatal hernia. These are all known as advanced procedures and will have a greater impact on the insurance company. Depending on the state in which the procedure is performed, a patient may be able to qualify for assistance with the cost of weight loss surgery. Medicaid and Medicare may cover some or all of the cost. It's important to check with your doctor to determine what coverage is available in your particular state.

Before you consent to having any type of surgical procedure done, you should carefully consider the pros and cons of weight loss surgery. It's best to be well educated about the procedure before signing up for it. A little bit of research can go a long way in helping you decide if this type of surgery is right for you.

Most insurance companies do have a policy regarding elective procedures. Contacting your insurance company to see what they have available in regards to this area may be able to help you find something that works for you. If it doesn't work out, it's important not to lose heart. You may have to go back to your doctor or decide against having the procedure done.