Why did Aetna deny my surgery?
Asked by: Cristian McDermott | Last update: June 14, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (30 votes)
What does it mean when your Aetna claim is denied?
If you've had a health treatment or disability claim denied by Aetna, it could be because: The procedure is considered cosmetic (not medically necessary) Your doctor is out of network or doesn't participate in the plan. Your plan doesn't cover your medical condition.
Why would insurance deny a surgery claim?
Reasons your insurance may not approve a request or deny payment: Services are deemed not medically necessary. Services are no longer appropriate in a specific health care setting or level of care. You are not eligible for the benefit requested under your health plan.
How long does it take for Aetna to approve surgery?
Once your doctor sends a request for prior authorization, Aetna reviews the request. During our review, we look at the most recent and highest quality medical research and guidelines. We update your care provider throughout the review process to keep them informed on the status, and come to a decision within 14 days.
What is the denial rate for Aetna?
Other insurance companies with the highest claim denial rates included Sendero Health Plans (28%), Molina Healthcare (26%) and Community First Health Plans (26%). Additionally, the analysis found the denial rates for other major insurance companies, including Anthem (23%), Medica (23%) and Aetna (22%).
Woman with MALS has surgery denied by health insurance company
Which health insurance denies the most claims?
According to personal finance website ValuePenguin – which used federal data from 2022 to compile in-network claim denial rates by companies offering plans on at least some Affordable Care Act exchanges – UnitedHealthcare denied nearly one-third of claims, topping the list.
Does Aetna have a reconsideration form?
What is aetna reconsideration form? The Aetna reconsideration form is a document that allows individuals or healthcare providers to request a review or reconsideration of a denied claim or coverage determination by Aetna, a health insurance company.
How do I get my insurance to approve surgery?
- Your insurance company will review your doctor's request. ...
- Once they've decided, they'll send their decision to both you and your medical provider in writing.
- If your doctor feels that you can't wait that long, they can submit an urgent or expediated request.
Does Aetna pay for surgery?
Aetna plans exclude coverage of cosmetic surgery and procedures that are not medically necessary, but generally provide coverage when the surgery or procedure is needed to improve the functioning of a body part or otherwise medically necessary even if the surgery or procedure also improves or changes the appearance of ...
Why did Aetna deny my CT scan?
In some instances, a CT scan might be an excluded procedure under your health insurance policy, or you may have neglected to obtain the required pre-authorization. Other reasons a CT scan could be denied would be if your insurance company deemed the CT scan to be medically unnecessary.
Can I be denied surgery?
Yes, a doctor can deny you medical treatment. Private doctors have some more leeway to deny treatment to patients than those in Medicare-compliant hospitals, but there are circumstances under which even doctors serving Medicare patients may choose not to serve a patient.
Why didn't my insurance cover my surgery?
In some cases, the service simply isn't covered by the plan. In other cases, necessary prior authorization wasn't obtained, the provider wasn't in-network, or the claim was coded incorrectly.
What is a dirty claim?
The term dirty claim refers to the “claim submitted with errors or one that requires manual processing to resolve problems or is rejected for payment”.
What is a typical reason for a denied claim?
A rejected claim is typically the result of: A coding error(s), • A mismatched procedure and ICD-10 code(s), or • A terminated patient medical insurance policy.
How long does it take Aetna to pay a claim?
If we approve your request, it can take up to 30 days to send payment once we have all the required information.
How do I fight a denied claim?
- Step 1: Find Out Why Your Claim Was Denied. ...
- Step 2: Call Your Insurance Provider. ...
- Step 3: Call Your Doctor's Office. ...
- Step 4: Collect the Right Paperwork. ...
- Step 5: Submit an Internal Appeal. ...
- Step 6: Wait For An Answer. ...
- Step 7: Submit an External Review.
What surgeries are not covered by insurance?
Cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery or vein removal are nearly always considered elective and so are not covered. Fertility treatments are only covered in certain states, and even then, there are loopholes that allow insurers to deny coverage.
How long does it take for insurance to accept surgery?
Investigating coverage requirements and limits can take up to six weeks, and some services require pre-certification staff to supply photos and medical necessity information to your insurance company.
Does Aetna insurance cover anesthesia?
Note: Aetna covers medically necessary general anesthesia or IV sedation for oromaxillofacial surgery (OMS) and dental-type services that are covered under the medical plan.
Why was my surgery denied by insurance?
Often, claims are denied based on “medical necessity.” The insurance company reviews a procedure and decides that it was not medically necessary, even though your doctor or surgeon recommended the treatment. If this happens to you, you can ask your health care provider to write a written response.
Can you sue an insurance company for denying surgery?
There are laws designed to protect consumers in the state of California and across the nation. It's not uncommon for policyholders to sue their healthcare insurers for denial of a claim, mainly when the claim is for a service that is crucial to their health and future or the health and future of a loved one.
Why would insurance deny a prior authorization?
A denied prior auth request can occur when a provider's office submits a wrong billing code, misspells a name or makes another clerical error. Requests can also be denied if the prior auth request lacks sufficient information about why the medication or treatment is needed.
Why was my Aetna claim denied?
If your health or disability benefits have been denied, Aetna may have claimed the following: The procedure is merely cosmetic and not medically necessary. The treating physician is out of network or out of plan. The claim filed was for a medical condition that isn't authorized or covered.
How long does it take to get an appeal from Aetna?
You can file an appeal within 180 days of receiving a Notice of Action. The Appeals and Grievance Manager will send an acknowledgment letter within five business days. The letter will summarize the appeal and include instructions on how to: Revise the appeal within the time frame specified in the acknowledgment letter.
How many times can you appeal an insurance denial?
How many times can I appeal a denial? Most insurers allow two internal appeals before you can request an external review of your denial.