Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I AM SO EXCITED. I HAVE FINALLY JUMPED THROUGH ALL OF THE HOOPS TO QUALIFY FOR MY VSG! I HAVE AETNA INSURANCE. MY SURGEONS OFFICE PLANS TO SUBMIT MY CLAIM FOR PRE-CERTIFICATION BY NEXT TUESDAY. ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES AETNA TO APPROVE SOMEONE?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If I recall correctly, Aetna approved me in about one week or ten days last year. Overall, I have no complaints about Aetna. I went for my first consultation with my surgeon in mid-April and I was sleeved on July 13th. I am happy to say that the process was pretty painless. My biggest issue was staying on top of my doctor's office to keep my file moving.

Be patient and keep your eye on the prize. Here I am 11 months later and I have lost 120 pounds!

Good luck to you!

Brian

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just got my approval letter last night - took about 10 days (Memorial Day Holiday may have slowed it down a little).

I knew I was approved last week because Aetna has a nurse called me to answer any questions I had about the surgery. She was really nice and supportive and gave me her phone number if I have any other questions and also asked that I please call her when the real date has been set. She also wanted to re-assure that even though the letter states one day in the hospital, I am approved for whatever I need and not worry about it.

Now if the surgeon's office would just call to set up a date, I am so ready to get started...

Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just got my approval letter last night - took about 10 days (Memorial Day Holiday may have slowed it down a little).

I knew I was approved last week because Aetna has a nurse called me to answer any questions I had about the surgery. She was really nice and supportive and gave me her phone number if I have any other questions and also asked that I please call her when the real date has been set. She also wanted to re-assure that even though the letter states one day in the hospital, I am approved for whatever I need and not worry about it.

Now if the surgeon's office would just call to set up a date, I am so ready to get started...

Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

THANK YOU GUYS FOR TAKING TIME TO RESPOND TO ME. I AM SO EXCITED I CAN HARDLY SIT STIL. MEDMGR CONGRATS ON YOU APROVAL!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Aetna lady told me usually 15 days..she told me to call her when my docs office sends the paperwork so she can keep an eye out for it. She had RNY herself and has been very helpful answering questions and keeping track of my progress so far. Next Friday is my last dietician visit so I am getting anxious about approval too. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I AM SO EXCITED. I HAVE FINALLY JUMPED THROUGH ALL OF THE HOOPS TO QUALIFY FOR MY VSG! I HAVE AETNA INSURANCE. MY SURGEONS OFFICE PLANS TO SUBMIT MY CLAIM FOR PRE-CERTIFICATION BY NEXT TUESDAY. ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES AETNA TO APPROVE SOMEONE?

I also have Aetna, but for the life of me I couldn't tell you how long it took to get approval. I began my wl journey back in September 2010 and was told I was approved 5/13/2011. I went into the surgeon's office so he could look at my "belly" for SIL VSG. As I was exiting the office, I overheard the program coordinator tell the surgeon "she agreed to June 13th and she's approved" I yelled out, "did you say, I was approved" the coordinator replied, yes - you've been approved for ages.

But when I think back, I did get a call from the insurance company, but I never returned the call. Maybe that was them giving me the good news. Well I'm scheduled for June 13th! Scary, Exciting and Scary - Yikes!!!!

D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just got approved from Aetna this week...

My surgeon originally submitted me on May 21st, on May 23rd Aetna kicked it back saying it was missing stuff... so we had to dig up some more paperwork, after we got it it was resubmitted on 6/2 .. again .. kicked back 2 days later because Aetna was waiting on a response from my dr. on if he operated out of one of Aetna's IOQ centers... After I found out he didn't, I resubmitted with another surgeon the same day, and was certified that evening... So for me it was about 2 weeks, I don't know if it would have been quicker if everything were submitted correctly the first time... or if I had started with a surgeon that was out of a Aetna IOQ center (Aetna wouldn't pay for me to have surgery if it wasn't at an IOQ, something I did not know before starting the procesS) besides that, it was a painless process, and they have been from prompt with just about everything I have wanted to speak to them about.

Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×