Aetna HMO - anyone / suggestions / thoughts?

I have Aetna HMO in Southern California - so far they've approved each step of the process, now I'm waiting to have the surgeon submit for the surgery in a few weeks. Has anyone had any experience with this carrier? thanks and Happy Friday!

My surgery was many years ago but I had Aetna PPO and had no issues getting approved.  I do think that had a lot to do with my surgeon's office and their knowlege of what was required. I was approved within 10 days.

I have Aetna PPO, and was just approved.  I had to show 2 years of a BMI higher than 40 (or higher than 35 with co-morbidities), and I had to participate in a 90-day multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen (or you can opt for a 180-day doctor-supervised diet and exercise plan).  Once I hit those requirements, I was approved in about 10 days.

If you haven't already, go to Aetna's website and in the search bar enter 0157.  That will show you the Clinical Procedure Bulletin for Bariatric Surgery with Aetna's requirements.

Good luck!

I have Aetna EPO and just followed all the rules and they approved in 10 days.  My dr. would not apply until I had completed alll insurance requirements.