Aetna Select will not cover???

[wannabbanned]

Hi All- Iam new here and have been considering lapband for some time now.

I see my doc for an evaluation next Monday. Now I dont see the point in doing so when my insurance says that because I have Aetnas Select plan, that it will not cover the surgery. I found this out by emailing their member services department and just simply asking if Obesity/Lap Band surgery was covered under MY plan.

Im feeling rather blue now. I certainly cant afford to pay it on my own and I surely would not qualify for financing or financial assistance so I think my darts are down before I can even start this journey.:Cry::Cry::Cry::Cry:

[ate2much]

I'm so sorry about your insurance. Is there any chance that you could upgrade your plan next open enrollment? Speak honestly with your Dr. - maybe they have some type of payment plan. Good luck - and keep trying to find a solution.

[2dayIwin]

I'd suggest calling the insurance company and providing them with the proceedure codes the drs office can give you for lab band. This will enable them to see what options you have if the proceedure is medically necessary.

[Kim G]

I am sorry I didn't respond sooner - call me a slacker. :)

Aetna does cover the procedures. It's normally your employer (or whoever your insurance is through) that has excluded the rider for bariatric surgery on your policy. I would strongly suggest you contact the HR department over your insurnace and if you have anything wrong you tell them why you need the surgery and they can get the insurnace company to cover it. I have had patients get their employers to cover it before when their are exclusions in the policy.

Aetna does require eithe a 3 month multi plan seeing nutrition and fitness each month, psych once and then following up w/ the doctor after that or a 6 month supervised diet.

Again I know it's late but good luck!!!!

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

Kim: You're a sweetheart for posting this ,,, I thank you sooooo much. My friend has Aetna and is totally bummed because her policy doesn't cover the LB surgery. I copied your post and sent it to her ,,, Hopefully your suggestion will work for her ,,,

Thanks again ,,,

[Kim G]

You are so very welcome. It's my full-time job so I am glad I can help out people in the process. I try to check this forum daily but I guess I have been MIA here.

Tell your friend good luck and let me know if I can answer anything else for her or anyone!