Approved by Aetna - My Experience

I've lurked for years and this is my first post.   When I first starting thinking about WLS, I had so many questions about insurance so I thought I'd share my experience with Aetna here.

I have Aetna Exclusive Access and chose the  6 month MD-supervised program.  My paperwork was submitted on Monday, Dec. 7th and was approved the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 8th.  Tuesday afternoon, my case worker from Aetna called to give me the good news (though the insurance coordinator in my surgeon's office beat her to it!) and to let me know that she'll be contacting be several times post-op and gave me her phone number in case I have any questions.  She was so sweet.

My experience with Aetna has been fantastic, nothing but positive things to say.  I recommend to everyone with Aetna that you do just as their policy states.  Pick which program you're going with and follow it exactly.  Make all your appointments and go to specialists (nut., psychologist, etc.) that have experience on how to document for WLS approval.

I realize that there will always be exceptions and I'm sure there are people who have followed the insurance guidelines to the letter and still get denied, I suppose much of it has to with the specialists and the insurance reviewer at Aetna.  Thankfully I was lucky in all respects and was absolutely shocked at how quickly I was approved.  

--Raegan H.