BARIX CLINICS

Does anyone have aetna hmo, or know of someone with aetna hmo, who have gotten approved to go to barix clinics in pa?? Please let me know. Thanks>

Ana, I'm sorry I don't have aetna. I saw Barix in your title and since I had WLS there, I read your post. I vaguely remember somewhere on this site there being a place to read what people have what insurance carriers and what carriers approved what. I'm sure someone can direct you to that part of this site if you haven't seen it already...and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. Best of luck to you! Sandi

Its okay.. i think i have seen the part of the site where they list what insurance they have and how long it took them to get approved... but it looks as if i am going to have to wait until my PCP appt on the 8th to ask her if she can contact Aetna for me and ask about Barix.. well if all else fails, i hear Temple Univ Hospital has a great Bariatric wing.. so thats my 2nd choice. Either way.. thank you for your quick response.

Ana, I have Aetna HMO thru the state of NJ employee plan. I was told, by Barix, that Barix wouldn't accept my insurance but that was a year ago. Things may have changed. I'm very happy with my choice of surgeon and so was Aetna. Good luck, RobinNJ

I think i have small group Aetna HMO. i work with a non profit in Mt Laurel, NJ.. I was surprised they even covered WLS, since i dont pay any fees out of my check for my insurance.. But i called Aetna, they said i can get it, if its medically necessary.. im not worried about qualifying anymore.. but i do hope that i am not required to have been on a doc supervised diet for 6 months.. that would bea thorn in my side.. i am way to excited to be put on pause, for 6 months or longer, by the time i also fulfill all my testing, etc. sigh.. i know.. im dramatic.. lol.. and impatient.. but i am just ready to START MY NEW LIFE..

If I were you I would check with Barix to see if they take your insurance. When I called my doctor they told me they no longer took Aetna unless I had out of network benefits. Fortunately for me the plan is through my husband's business and it was time to switch so we did. Also, be prepared, I believe the 6 months is standard with Aetna. I am very impatient as well but used the time to learn a lot more about the surgery and what to expect post op. Good luck.

Hi Ana Aetna will probably make you do the 6 month dr supervised diet -- it's standard protocol for WLS -- the time flies -- and like Esther said, it's good time to do more research -- they aren't looking for you to lose weight or anything -- it's just red tape good luck Happy New Year Roberta

Hi Just wanted to let you know that started at the barix. I got approved and then found out it was out of network and Barix wanted a $9000. copay upfront. Needless to say I found another surgeon who took aetna (Dr. Bilof) at St. Barnabas in Livingston and it was all covered, because he was in network. So, I would check with aetna and also the barix people to see if anything has changed. Good Luck with it and also once I had the approval and switched dr.'s it only took a few weeks to change the approval over to the new doc. I didn't have to go through the whole approval process again.

Look at the blue section on the left side of the screen see above other message boards the listing for insurers. Click on that, it will tell you about other peoples experiences with different insurance companies.

Thanks. Yeah.. i saw the blue insurer section to the Left of my screen. All the excerpts or posts were from a while ago.. like 2000 or 2001, so i was looking for more updated info. Also, they mosrly just have people who say how long it took them to get approved. It doesnt say where they got approved to go. I was mainly asking about Barix Clinics.. but thanks anyway.