Aetna Health Insurance - Open Access
Strong Pain Medicine Coverage Dropped Without Warning for Non-Cancer Patients

Hello, after paying for strong pain medicine for 17 months Aetna has decided that no one can have this pain medicine unless they have cancer. We received no warning and when asked they gave us a vague answer stating that some time in May they started sending out letters to members.

He is now in agony and will soon be going to the emergency room with seizures. I have begged them to at least give him time to wean off of the pain medicine however they just keep saying that the doctor has not proved to them that my husband needs the medicine so he can't have it.

I have told them that you can't just stop someone on this type of medicine as their body will go into withdrawal with seizures and perhaps death. They seem to be oblivious as to what they have done. I have read that they have over 15 million patients, I wonder how many others are scared to death as I am.

Aetna just keeps repeating, as of July 1st we are no longer covering this drug for anyone that doesn't have cancer and if they have cancer you have to prove that they have gone through all the "steps" of different and lesser drugs before you can have this one. I have asked them what they will pay for as we need to let the doctor know.

Since this rule just went into affect on July 1st my book from open season is no longer any good. That is another point, during our open season in Nov and Dec of 06 I checked on the medicines that he takes and I was told they would be covered, I wasn't just told, it is in their open season booklet.

Now in July they have changed their mind. They are killing people and I do not know where to turn to. I agree with someone else that posted their experience, we need a class action lawsuit. My doctor is tired of the insurance companies telling him what he can and can not prescribe.
Thank you

Company: Aetna Health Insurance - Open Access
Country: USA
State: Minnesota
City: Minnetonka
Address: 1100 Wayzata Blvd St 400

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