Question:
My new insurance Aetna will go into affect 4-1-01

My new insurance goes into affect 4-1-01,How long should I wait until I send in my request for surgery. My paper work is all ready I just need to give my surgeon's office the policy number. Wonder if they will have me wait a certain period????    — CAROL S. (posted on March 29, 2001)

March 28, 2001
Carol, it is my understanding that once your coverage is in place you are set. However, I would also ask your Surgeon's Office since they deal with insurances on a daily basis. I have Aetna and they were absolutely GREAT...because I live in Ohio, my Surgeon's office was able to get me approved over the phone...took 15 minutes!! Good Luck!!
   — chance2lv

March 28, 2001
Hello! My husband started a new job and we were able to pick between AETNA or Nylcare. I chose Nylcare first but then found out that they were bought out by Blue of Texas.(Blue Cross) After reading that AETNA had a better approval rate for medically necessary WLS I decided to change to AETNA. We had 6 days to get all the paperwork changed over, which was hard because of the girls at the benefits office took there time! We made it by 1 day! Well My coverage started in Nov and I had to wait till the end of Dec to get my ID card. (They said they sent it, but we never got it,so they had to send it again) My doctors consult was on Jan the 16th and I was approved Feb 26th. I believe that had I sent my paperwork in, even in December they would have approved me. They have been great. It took awhile for approval tho. My policy had no pre-excisitng clauses and no exclusions. That means once your policy starts its in effect for everything. So if I were you I would send it in as soon as possible. If you needed any other surgery you would "Right"? Good Luck to you! GOD BLess!
   — Katrina D.

March 28, 2001
I have Aetna US Healthcare, and I didn't send in anything to insurance. I went to the PCP, he made a referral to surgeon, then after a surgery consultation, the surgeon sent in all papers. Easy as 1-2-3!! Much luck to you!
   — Amy K.

March 29, 2001
I switched to Aetna Jan of 2000 and I was approved in March of 2000. My first consultation was in Feb and I got the approval from Aetna in exactly 4 weeks from the time my surgeon submitted the paper work. I also had to see a pysche and they approved the 2 visits that were required.
   — Debra H.