So yesterday was my first initial consult with the surgeon, Dr. Amit Taggar with Florida Surgical Weight Loss Center. I'm currently 5'5, 256 with high cholesterol. I am so ready to have this surgery so that I can stop the medication train before it gets too outta hand. I was planning on a late January to early February surgery due to Aetna only required 3 months with a Nutritionist. Boy was I in for a surprise. My surgeon informed me that Aetna now requires 6 months supervised visits with the Nutritionist and that the plan changed this month. WTH?!!?!

Oh well.. I can see this is going to be the longest 6 months of my life. During this time, I will focus on losing weight and exchanging bad eating habits for good ones. Thanks for reading

Oh man, what a bummer! I'm on Aetna too and now I'll have to call to check on that. It used to be six months and I was thrilled that it had been reduced to 3 months; if it's gone back up to six ... ARGH! I see my team again next week so I'll be sure to ask that question to make sure we're still on track. Thanks for the heads' up.

Yup. Double check with your Dr.'s office. The surgeon stated he had received more than normal denials and it was due to the policy changing this month. He said 60 % of his patients have Aetna. He also said he could possibly use 3 months of weight loss visits from my PCP because I saw them for weight management prior to deciding on the sleeve. I have to bring him the medical records for him to review on my next visit.

Oh No! I have Aetna too! I go back to the Dr in 2 weeks, so I will talk to them about it. Boo!!!

I have Aetna and just had my NUT appointment last Thursday. My insurance did not change, woohoo! I was worried that it might have after looking at this thread, but it's rules for bariatric surgery are still the same within my company. @3sonsitkMaybe your company stopped carrying the insurance rider for the procedures or something? @ChubRub have you checked with your version of Aetna yet?

Sorry you have to wait an extra 3 months! I, too, had a 6 month nutrition requirement. The time doesn't really drag, because there are other requirements too. In the whole scope of life, these extra 3 months won't teally matter much, but I know you're disappointed. Hang in there.

On 11/4/2019 at 3:11 PM, Machalo said:

I have Aetna and just had my NUT appointment last Thursday. My insurance did not change, woohoo! I was worried that it might have after looking at this thread, but it's rules for bariatric surgery are still the same within my company. @3sonsitkMaybe your company stopped carrying the insurance rider for the procedures or something? @ChubRub have you checked with your version of Aetna yet?

Such GREAT news!!! I'm so happy for you!! I see the surgeon on Monday, so fingers crossed that I'll get similar news!!!!

Congrats. My particular Aetna plan changed 10/24/2019. My surgeon asked to review 3 months of med records for when I saw my PCP for weight loss as he may could use them. Tomorrow is my first appt with the nutritionist. Praying that I only have to 3 months.