sunyinfla

Hello all I am a new member from the Tampa bay area. I am just starting my journey, surgery hasnt even been scheduled yet. It will be about three months before that happens so I am just out here learning all I can beforehand. Robin

Another thing to remember is to check out with your insurance to see if your group employer plan excludes weight loss treatment and/or bariatric surgery. Its not the insurance company that excludes these.....its your employer not opting to include coverage for the services.

Personally, I think its pretty great that Aetna posts their policy details on their website. It lets you see exactly what information they require in order to establish the necessity of the surgery. Better yet, and what most dont seem to understand, is that these "requirements" are developed by standards used within the medical community. Aetna didnt just pull this information out of a hat.....the basis is what various medical societies suggest their surgeons follow, its the standard in teaching hospitals etc. Personally, if your doctor isnt already standardly following some of these steps, you might want to rethink your surgeon. The steps are all being asked so that you have a better chance of a good outcome with your surgery and that you are set up for success before the first cut. That being said, you increase your chances of an approval when you make certain the necessary medical records are submitted. Its not just letters from your doctors saying you need the surgery, its copies of your chart notes showing you were followed medically for the weight loss attempts, etc. :cool: Best wishes!