Visited AIGB last month and had to get the psych exam, cardio and now bloodwork before they will submit to insurance. Is this standard? Passed the psych and cardio so on to the vampires! Anyone out there working for AA with UHC major medical insurance experience? I would love to hear how long it took for approval. Also, while I haven't met with any surgeon yet I have heard a lot of good things about Dr. Benavides. When do you meet the surgeon in the process? When I originally called his office they referred me to AIGB. Just a little confused on the steps so any insight is greatly appreciated!

I don't work for AA, but I do have UH and I am going through Dr. Benavides as well. I started out at AIGB Diagnostics as well. I have done the bloodwork, psych exam and sleep study. They send that info to Dr. Benavide's office. My letter of Medical Necesity to UH was sent off on the 12th of August. I started the entire process on July the 28th. Hopefully this will be approved very fast, as I have a BMI of over 50 and severe sleep apnea.

I also work for AA and my experience is a little different than yours. I have uncontrolled type II diabetes, High Cholesterol and High Triglycerides but my BMI was 33.8, not high enough to qualify for the surgery. I was denied in May and appealed the decision. It was finally approved a couple of weeks ago after waiting for almost two months for a determination. Of course the fact that I gained about 12 pounds in the interim might have had alot to do with the approval. Their guideline is a BMI of 35 with co-mobidities or 40 BMI otherwise. I have a lot of friends that have had the procedure done and they also work for AA and have UHC and they have had no problems qualifying for the surgery. Good Luck to you and hopefully you'll hear something soon.