Aetna Help!!

Help!!! My paper work is scheduled to be submitted to Aetna HMO the beginning of November and i was hoping to get scheduled for surgery the first part of Decmeber. I spoke with the insuarnce lady at the surgeons office and she says it usually takes Aetna a month to respond. Trying to find out from others who have already gone thru Aetna what there experience was. Any suggestions to help them approve quicker, like things to include when my paper work is sent in. Help!!!!!!!! Dont want to go into 2008 over 300lbs!!!!!!

I also have Aetn and it takes 7-10 days for a decision.

I have Aetna and it took a couple of days of course I was denied, everything was submitted yesterday for my appeal, now that I heard may take 30-45 business days!! I'm trying to be patient. UGH!!

I have Aetna and it took about 3-4 weeks for me. I am not sure about all this dumb insurance stuff, the girl at my office is WONDERFUL,....but I would suggest you definitely have them fax Aetna a letter from tiyr PRIMARY physician, (PCP) stating that heshe reccommends the surgery as you have been under his care for over 5 years, and during all of those years you have been obese. Also say that he/she has had you on SUPERVISED diets and exercise programs, all which did not end up in you being able to loose weight, and therefore this surgery is necessary. It is a nightmare waiting, I know! I went thru it, I was a wreck. On average, I got like 2-3 hours of sleep a night. It will be approved...good luck!!!

Did you have Aetna HMO or PPO? From what im understanding its a little harder to get approval with a HMO.

I have Aetna HMO.  All my paperwork was submitted on 9/28.  I heard on Monday that Aetna was not going to send a graph that my PCP's office sent them as a 5 year weight history so I called them and had them fax the chart notes (1 per year documenting my weight) I just got to call this morning stating it got approved yesterday.  I think the process can go quickly if all your paperwork is in order.  I found out abrout the problem with my paperwork by calling Aetna and choosing "to pre-certify a service" form the menu options and then I askd the rep what the status was with my precertification.  She told me what it was so I contacted my surgeon's office who was far behind and was going to contact me in a few days to let me know about the additional chart notes being needed.  I am glad I called Aetna instead of waiting around for them.

Not sure, it just says "Aetna Open Access" on my card...(???) I know that I dont need referrals.

I have Aetna (it's Open Access though...which is basically PPO). I got approval in about a week. HMO might take a little longer...but I'll bet it will take no longer than 3 weeks. 

But if you want to make sure it's as fast as possible, I would suggest that you make sure you have  your weight records from a doctor for 5 years + records that prove that you completed the multidisciplinary program or a 6-month physician diet + records of comorbities (any medical complications that you suffer from because of your weight). If you send them everything they need the first time, it should go pretty fast. If they need something else from you because you forget to send something, it will take a LOOOONG time. And if you are missing anything from the above list, they might deny you...which means you might have to appeal...which means it will probably not happen this year. So be careful to do it right the first time, and they're actually pretty fast. Good luck!