Question:
What is Aetna looking for on the 6 month diet?

Are they looking to see that you can lose the weight successfully thus showing your commitment? Or, are they looking to see that you can't lose the weight, showing that gastric bypass is the only way?    — Stacy C. (posted on April 14, 2003)

April 14, 2003
I have Aetna and have been approved for Lap RNY. They just want to know you have been supervised by a Dr. Nothing else. They have to have the actual notes of the Dr. Good Luck!
   — Barbara S.

April 14, 2003
When an insurance company asks you about a diet they only consider a DR supervisied plan. Like anything an insurance co does it needs to go through a DR. They will look at Jenny Craig or WW but only count Dr supervised. Good Lux
   — Robert L.

April 14, 2003
I GOT APPROVED FROM AETNA WITHOUT A 6MTH SUPERVISED DIET! WHEN I APPLIED IN OCT. 2002 I HAD NOT BEEN TO A DR. IN 10 YRS! I WAS DENIED IN NOV., HIRED OBESITY LAWYER, WALTER LINDSTROM, AFTER I WAS DENIED I STARTED A SUPERVISD DIET! WE GOT DENIED AGAIN IN DEC. STILL THEY WANTED MY INFO! I HAD NONE! I DID GO TO TOPPS FOR A FEW YEARS AND ALSO HAD A PERSONAL RECORD KEEPING OF WHAT I HAD ATE AND EXERCISED FOR 7 MTHS FROM THE YR BEFORE, I HAD LOST 90 LBS BY MYSELF, WELL I WAS GOING INTO MY 4TH MTH OF SUPERVISED DIET, IN FEB. 2003 WHEN I WAS APPROVED! THANK YOU WALTER & KELLY! I WAS APPROVED AT THE EXTERNAL STAGE. MY WLS DATE IS MAY 13!
   — CYNDI B.

April 14, 2003
Hi. Just to let you know Aetna changed thier policy January 16, 2003 regaurding wls. You now have to have a 6 month supervised diet with a physician as well as see a nutritionist. There is no way about going around this either. I think it is their way of making people give up and not want the surgery. My own opinion. :) Good luck
   — Dawn M.

April 14, 2003
oh, I forgot to mention to you if you go to www.aetna.com and click on their coverage policy bulletins and then click on the full alphabetical list and find wls on there it will explain it in detail to you. Any problems just go to my profile page and Email me. I have it all on hand and would be happy to email it to you. ~Dawn
   — Dawn M.

April 14, 2003
I have been eating, breathing & living this experience & the culmination of it all will be my surgery in 7 days on 4-22!!!! Please keep my surgery in your prayers, as well as this very nerve wracking time between now & then! First of all, Aetna has changed their policy & they have gotten very strict. I sent them more info then they ever could have needed & they sent me a letter that they needed... You got it.... more information. Go to my profile 'Karen Corkran' & read all about it. I think you will learn a lot, as it is very detailed. I will add, to what others have said, they also want 'documented' exercise! DON'T GIVE UP! This is a very expensive surgery & it is my personnal belief, that some ins. companies do hope that we will give up. As frustrated as I became... I persevered & I will be an new Easter Baby 2 days after Easter. God Bless.....
   — [Deactivated Member]