Question:
Has anyone been approved by Aetna for a

   — Darlene P. (posted on May 10, 2002)

May 10, 2002
I hav e Aetna. I was approved for a Lapro. RNY on the first try. Good luck
   — Melissa H.

May 10, 2002
The doctor sent in my paperwork in January. I tried to be good and not "bug" them. In March, I had another appointment with my doctor and he asked if i had heard from them. He told me I better check. When I got home, I called and they told me they never got the paperwork!! I got a fax number and called my doctor and had them fax it. About a week later, Aetna said they needed a letter from my pcp indicating any diets I had been on. It took me about a week to get letters from my doctor, orthopedic dr. and a doctor who had administered a protein fast to me many years ago. We faxed them in and had approval in about 7 days. First be sure they get your paperwork then just give them anything they need. It went really well once we had our "ducks in a row". Good Luck and God bless.
   — Linda H.

June 21, 2002
I was approved in one week for my gastric bypass from Aetna. Now, two years later, have been approved in 5 weeks for abdominaplasty with Aetna, who I happen to have thru another employer (and now on COBRA, to boot!).
   — lisadiehl

July 11, 2002
Correction, Aenta informas me that they have "lost" my info. THey have recorded receiving it, AND forwarding it to Patient Management... But patient Mgmt states they haven't receive anything in the 27 days since it was sent to them. My pictures of my nude body from all angles, and my medical history LOST... somewhere in the ether. I am about to write the Ins Commissioner of CA and CC him on my letter to Aetna. I AM SOOOO P.O.'D! I also have to go back to my surgeon's office in the morning to REDO the pix (HOW humiliating!!... and help THEM sort my medical file out so they can resend it to AETNA. Not like I HAD ANYTHING BETTER TO DO.. or like my surgery coodinator has any other patients to care for. #$)(&~)@$#&~+++*&$+~&*!!!!
   — lisadiehl

March 4, 2003
Aetna just approved me for my abdominoplasty and upper arms... Good Luck
   — Beffy W.

April 5, 2003
Now I am totally disgusted!!! I have been aproved for my pani but was denied on my initial claim for my arms and thighs and just like the last post I was told about a month after I sent my appeal that paperwork my surgeon's office had confirmed receipt of with a live human being ended up lost. I am left to wonder why we don't expect accountability from our insurance companies the way we would expect it from say our local dry cleaner. I've worked for Aetna and their policies and practices and over all lack of consideration and care for their customers is reprehensible.
   — melibop

December 16, 2003
Just received approval for TT from AETNA. Took a few months, but I got it.
   — pabaldwin

January 11, 2004
I submitted my request to Aetna for my abdominalplasty and breast lift the end of October and got my surgery date set for December 8, 2003. I called my plastic surgeon right before Thanksgiving as we hadn't heard anything and she called Aetna. Turns out they claim they never received my paperwork or the pictures that my plastic surgeon took, so we faxed all the information. At first Aetna denied both procedures because they said they weren't "medically necessary". This is when we got my PCP involved and he sent a letter with copies of my past medical records showing all the visits treating me for rashes and such. Aetna still denied it after receiving all of this, so my deal husband called Aetna and spent three whole days working between Aetna, my plastic surgeon's office and my PCP's office. We finally had my PCP call the doctor who approves the surgeries through Aetna and they decided to allow the abdominalplasty, but not the breast lift (still said it wasn't "medically necessary"). I had my surgery done on December 8, 2003 at Harper Hospital in Detroit and will spend the next year showing Aetna that my breast lift is "medically necessary". I also would like to have my thights and my arms done, but will work on those later. It took me just about a month to get my approval and lots of phone calls, but I am glad we kept at it.
   — Jerri G.

June 22, 2004
Aneta told me NO! I think I applied for it too soon, I was 9 months post op, and about 40 pounds to goal weight.
   — Cherese H.

August 25, 2005
I was denied last year w/BCBS; however, this year I was almost immediately approved from Aetna. Within one week I was shocked that they approved my hernia repair and "abdominal reconstruction". I did have documentation from my primary, my orthopedic for degen.disc disease in back and my surgeon's recommendation. Someone was in a good mood that day....................Including me! Surgery is set for Sept. 2, 2005. I am morbidly obese and went the route of possible gastric or lapband a few years ago. I opted to exercise on my own and eat right. I lost almost 15 inches on my own and the panni is pretty much on my lap. I'm so greatful, yet a little nervous. Good Luck.
   — Lois B.

October 2, 2005
Finally...I got my "Tips for Getting Your Plastic Surgery Approved" worksheet on my website. It will help individuals who have medically necessary issues get their plastic surgery covered, at least in part, by insurance. Check www.drlomonaco.com under "Patient Resources"
   — DrL

Click Here to Return