The waiting game is so very hard.

Hello friends.  I haven't posted since the start of my Lap Band journey at the beginning of this year.  I have made a lot of progress.  I am going through the Cleveland Clinic (Dr. Shauer).  And my insurance provider is Aetna Select.  So at this point all of my paperwork has been submitted to Aetna as of 5/21.  It was actually submitted on 5/7.  However (as luck has it),  Aetna said that they never received my file. (don't know if that is true)  So it had to be re-submitted on May 21st.  According to Cleveland Clinic, I was told that I should have an answer by this Friday 6/1.  I have been calling Aetna everyday single day.  And they just keep telling my that the reviewer has my file and it is pending.  Today when I called, I asked the Aetna customer service woman, "Is this long wait a "good sign?"  "Of course!", she replied sounding ever so sincere "Yes, a very good sign.  This means the reviewer is REALLY combing over everything."  Great.  I am 4'11" and have had a BMI of between 35 and 40 for over 5 years.  Currently my BMI is 40 (200 lbs)  I have chronic high blood pressure / gerd and a congenital joint disorder that would benefit from a large weight loss.  I don't have a point to this long post....other than just venting to other people who understand what I'm going through.  For now..I have convinced myself that I will get denied.  This is will cut my emotional pain if in fact I do get denied.  One more thing....Let me just say how absolutely unfair this "insurance game" is.  Bariatric surgery is NOT selective like having breast augmentation.  We are people that just want to have healthy, happy long lives.  Should that be up to some "reviewer" that has never even met me. I think not.  Thanks to all for listening, "one of Aetna's tortured members"

I agree, the wait is so hard-but in my case, a long wait had good results.  My insurance company initially denied me-I got that reply within a few days of submittal.   I did what they asked (3 month physician supervised diet) and resubmitted-it took them an excruciating 25 days to get back to me...but this time it was YES!  I was approved. I too had heard that a longer wait can be good news-just for the reason you mentioned. I am scheduled for surgery next week and start my liquid diet tomorrow! I wish you the best of luck!!!! Lisa R.

Good luck to you my friend! Thanks for the info : )

I too have Aetna EPO.  My docs off ice submitted my paperwork on 5/9 it was in there system as of 5/11 my reviewer was out of the office until 5/18 or so.  I called her first thing monday morning 5/21 and she advised me that the hospital they put was not covered and she would have to deny it. But called the docs office and they gave her another hospital.  I waited and by chance said let me call her before the  holiday.And I did just that and the managed care rep. says your authorized.  I said does that mean approved? She said yes.  I got my letter today.  Yippee!!!!  Now the date is the next hurdle.  Its all like a waiting game. I dont like it but I need this..

Gosh...I really hope I also get good news.  Thanks for the info and good luck!!!!!

You're not alone Ms. Malone!  lol.  hey, that rhymed.   My request is being sent to my insurance this afternoon.  There should be no reason to deny me since I meet all of the requirements, so my surgery has been scheduled for 07/03.  Of course, the surgery will be rescheduled if I'm not approved the first time around.  I want to be excited but I'm so afraid of getting denied.  If it makes you feel better I'm just as anxious as you are.