Question:
DONT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS FROM ANY DRS OR WL ATTEMPTS CAN I STILL QUALIFY / AETNA INS

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A DR FOR MY WEIGHT BUT I HAVE BEEN OVER WEIGHT A LONG TIME I HAVE AETNA INS I TOLD MY WLS DR ABOUT THIS SHE SAID THATS OK. DO I NEED A LOT OF PROOF? I HAVE BEEN ALREADY TO AN INFO MEETING AND MY FIRST DRS APT IS 1/16/06 ANY ONE ELSE DO THIS AND GET APPROVED? KATRINA D    — katrina (posted on January 11, 2006)

January 11, 2006
go to the Aetna members webpage and print out the cbt 0157, and read it carefully, payattention to the requirements section, have your pcp document very carefully your chart as prescribed with in the guidline , that is your first step, or you will have a six month delay, been there, still wip
   — walter A.

January 11, 2006
I didn't have any doctor documented weight loss attemps when I started this journey either. I have Aetna also. I did as Walter mentioned, printed out the Aetna requirements and began my 6 month doctor supervised diet with my Primary Care Physician. I also wrote my own personal letter detailing all of my diet attempts in the past and the comorbidities and how they affect my life. I had my WLS surgeon's office submit my paperwork after my third month of being on the doctor supervised diet (submitting all the notes from my 3 month visits) and I was approved before the 6 mo. was up. They just want to see that you are making an attempt. It also helps if you have comorbidities. I would at least get started.
   — sherita

January 11, 2006
Go to your primary care doctor, and get on a diet right away! (I have Aetna, too). then just go to him/her once a month, and have your wweight-loss attempts documented. Meanwhile, set6 your surgery date for a month after you finish your six-month diet. Also go to a pulmonologist to check for sleep apnea, a cardiologist to document any high blood pressure/heart problems, and get a psych evalution from a psychiatrist. Go to an exercise physiologist, or just a gym, and get the exercise attempts documented. This will show your comorbidites as well as show that you are serious and trying to lose weight! I went through it!!! Six months ewill pass in no time! the trick is to work on everything simultaneously, so it all gets done in time.
   — Novashannon

January 12, 2006
I have Aetna also. My first submission included 5+ years of BMI, dr supervised weight loss attempts (4 consecutive dr's visits) and several co-morbidities. I was denied. Aetna's reason: not enough consecutive dr's visits with weight loss consultation listed as the reason for the visit. (I also must add that at the time I submitted my paperwork for approval, Aetna had just changed their policy from 'some' consecutive dr's visits to 6 mos of supervised visits - their current requirement). I have just completed 6 consecutive months of dr's supervised weight loss visits. All of my paperwork will be resubmitted within the next week. I should be approved this time since I have done everything that Aetna now requires.
   — dfawn