Question:
Sister has atena works for direct t.v. or Hughes

I would like to know how to get things started for her.She is 5 ft. and weighs close to 300 lbs.I am the younger sister and it is like the rolls are reversed.I had my surgery 1 year ago last may 7th and have gone from 164 to 144.My insurance and Doctor took care of everthing.Can anyone tell me where to start for her.She is very reclusive and has hardly anything to do with anyone other then me.Con grats to all here and I hope to add her name to our list soon.Thanks    — madbird (posted on November 2, 2004)

November 2, 2004
If she wants to find out first if she has coverage for the procedure, she can just call the customer service department listed on the back of her insurance card, and ask if the surgical treatment for morbid obesity is a covered benefit under her policy. If she doesn't want to bother with that, she can just contact a bariatric surgeons office and they will usually check benefits for her then get the process started. I know as of now, the criteria for Aetna is either a 6 month medically supervised diet within the last 2 years or a 3 month pre-surgical program consisting of a pre and post program assessment by the surgeon, 3 months instruction by a nutritionist and and evaluation and follow up by a mental health professional. You can actually go to Aetna.com and look up the criteria yourself. This can change at the drop of a hat so it would be to her advantage to do the research herself to make sure. More and more insurance companies are making people jump through hoops for approval, at least Aetna gives you the option of the shorter pre-surgical program. I know certain ins companies that make you go through a 12 month MD supervised diet. I wish her the very best.
   — issymudd

November 2, 2004
I suggest that your sister just contact a Bariatric Surgeons office -- they are very helpful and can get the ball rolling for her. Good luck and God Bless
   — Vlove68