Finally got insurance to pay for lapband!!!

kimillionaire · January 3, 2008

I've been a member of this forum for a few months. I finally called the doctor's office today, after getting on my husband's insurance, and they said I am covered by Aetna. I will go through a 12 week program. The nurse at the dr. office said my surgery will probably be around the end of April or May. I'm totally excited.

Ive enjoyed this forum since I found it, and look forward to sharing my journey as well.

:whoo:Sooned to be banded....Kim

jenniferann6 · January 3, 2008

I'm on aetna as well and halfway thru the 12 week program-it seems like it's going to take forever and all of a sudden here I am halfway done! I'll be thru jumping thru aetna's hoops on feb 15-it really hasn't been bad, the Christmas holidays made it go by pretty quick as well. Good luck and look forward to hearing more from ya!

Jenni

kimillionaire · January 4, 2008

Hi Jennifer. What did the 12 week program consist of? My appt. is 1/17, I guess that's the day the 12 week program starts.

jenniferann6 · January 4, 2008

kimillionare, all Dr.'s are different as well as insurance requirements- My bmi is 42 and I have a 5 year history of it as well. My 12 week program started this way:

Nov 13, went to seminar and had first consult with surgeon, they weighed me and gave me a packet of info for me to work on getting done for the next 12 weeks; in the packet were 2 business cards for a nutritionist and psychotherapist, as well as a sign-in sheet that I take to my PCP and nutrionist and have them sign and date. (There was also infor on the lap-band, etc.) I called the nutrst and she had me start writing down EVERYTHING I ate and drank every day and to start documenting my exercising. (I walk for at least 30 minutes every day) Once a month I go and see her and take her my food/exercise log and she counsels me on looking for things with less sugar, fats that sort of thing. I also pay $75 per visit, thank goodness I only have to see her 4 times(she's not covered). I also have to visit my PCP every 30 days, within 3-5 days of visiting the nutrst and he documents in my chart that he's viewed my food/exer diary. Before the 90 days is up, I have to go and visit a psychotherapist for an evaluation. I called my ins and found some in the area that are covered. All in all, it's been not so bad.

I will be through with the 90 day program on Feb. 15, it is really going to be Feb. 13 but we don't want to chance it with the ins co saying the dates are different. The surgeons office is wonderful! They answer any questions and make it as easy as possible without doing it for you. Hope this helped-