Starting July 1, Aetna will no longer require pre-approval for cataract surgery except for patients in Florida and Georgia who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, according to a press release from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The announcement comes after Aetna implemented a policy that required pre-approval for all physician-prescribed cataract surgeries in July 2021. According to the release, an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 cataract surgeries among Aetna beneficiaries were delayed in July due to the policy.
“Aetna’s decision to impose a prior authorization requirement for