I started a new job yesterday and the 2 insurances I have to choose from are Cigna Premier (w/HSA) and Aetna HMO. I have contacted both of them today and both say they will approve Lapband for medical necessity and after I have been under a doctor's care (diet) for 6 months. What is the opinion on either company?

Yikes, I honestly have no idea about either company, from reading the ins posts over the last 6 mos they both seem to have pretty strict guidelines for approval. If I were you I might look into the doctor you want to use. You want to make sure that the doc you want to go to is on your plan, not only that but the ins coordinator at that clinic will play a HUGE part in helping you get approved so call around and talk to the ins coord. at the offices you are interested in, you will know immediately how knowledgeable and helpful they will be. I chose my doc in part because I was so impressed with how knowledgable the staff was on how to get ins approval from the nurse to the doc to the nutritionist. If it is covered and you qualify then chances are you can get approval from both companies, but it will be a question of how long it will take, will you get denied and have to appeal etc and most of this can be simplified if the initial submission of info is done properly. Hope this helps, Good Luck!

I have Aetna, yes they are strict. I got approved after the whole six month diet and after six weeks of submitting my papers. My husband on the other hand had the exact same thing, but only had 3 years of weight loss history....only because he hasnt been to the doctor, and got denied. Now we are trying hard to find to figure out how we can appeal.