I'm Approved Already?!!?

I received some paperwork from my insurance two days ago, it sounded positive but I honestly didn't understand what it said. Before I could call my surgeon's office I received a letter from them in the mail today saying my surgery has been approved! It was only a month ago that I had my initial consult but I have been doing my paperwork and everything. The only concern I have now is my insurance requires six months of dr. supervised diet and I've only completed 1 month of that. How can I be approved already? I've got a call into my surgeon's office. I'm wondering if I will still need to do my 6 month thing. Has anyone else had this happen before?

Who are your surgeon and insurance co? Folks can answer better if they know that. Lois

My insurance is Aetna and I'm seeing Commonwealth Surgeons (Hutcher)

I am no help--Anthem and MCV. There should be several on this board who have experience with Aetna and Hutcher's office. Good luck Lois

I am seeing Dr. Martin at Commwealth Surgeons. That office is right on top of things !I am sure they will be able to tell you something. I am scheduled for 1/17/07

I think mine is also on the 17th. WOWSERS!!!!!!!

Every insurance and area is different but when I was considering changing to Aetna they wanted to see 6 months of supervised diet - I went with BCBS and got approved in 4 days and surgery followed 5 weeks later - no diet or anything.... Your surgeon's office will advise you Jackie

Hi sweetie: I have Aetna (husband works for Capital One), and I am seeing Dr Bautista, also at Commonwealth Surgeons. My consult was in early September. It is indeed strange that you got an approval, because I too am required to to complete the six month requirement as well as various other requirements (one psych consult, sleep study, etc), and Hilarie said she could not apply for approval until all of that was done. I would definitely check with Hilarie just to be on the safe side, but if they did give your approval that's good for me, because I will want to ask if they can go ahead and apply for my approval. Please let me know what you find out...I will be very curious to know.

My husband worked at Capital One earlier in the year on a contract. He liked it and is thinking about going back. I'm still unsure that this is going to play out smoothly. I asked Hilarie if I needed to continue with my diet program and she said no and gave me a surgery date! I'm a little confused so I wrote her back another email to ask for further explanation, I'll let you know what I find out. The interesting thing here is my husband is also going to have surgery, we went to our consult at the same time, our paperwork all went in on the same time - yet he's heard nothing. I'm not even sure why my paperwork was sent to Aetna without having my diet program completed. All I can say is I hope this is not some sort of mixup, because I'll take it!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you! I hope for your sake that it's all good and you can go ahead and get to the losing side without delay, and you husband too! It is a good idea to ask her for an explanation, like you said, because on the sheet they give all preops who have Aetna it says specifically that the six month supervised diet and exercise plan is required for ALL Aetna plans, unless she's called them and been told otherwise. I may call her and ask her to veryify that to be true in my case as well, because I hate having to wait! Even the doctor who is doing the supervising thinks that it is unnecessary! Praying that all goes well for you!! I am excited for you!