Question:
Could Aetna retract an approval?

I received my approval for surgery and my date is Feb. 3rd. I have noticed that as of 1/17/03, Aetna added a requirement to their selecton criteria. It states that the doctor supervised diet must be in the medical records, not just a summary letter from the doctor. I only had a summary letter and I was approved as of 1/6/03. What are the chances that they will retract their approval? Would they have a legal leg to stand on? I have it in writing that they will pay for the surgery and hospital stay, so I should be fine, right? I am so afraid that they will pull a switcheroo at the last hour.    — SarahC (posted on January 22, 2003)

January 22, 2003
I would think your ok since your approval was prior to their revision to their policy.
   — Janine W.

January 22, 2003
I think you'll be fine; and your doctor or hospital would be the one to raise a question I think. If you have approval, you should be set. I think the insurance companies are getting lots of requests for approvals, and they are going to make it tougher to get these surgeries paid for. CC
   — cctru