The Lap-Band surgical centers that advertise under the banner of 1-800-GET-THIN just got a new investigation to deal with.
The medical operation is already under investigation by the L.A. City Coroner's office that is probing a September 8, 2011 death after Lap-Band surgery at one of the centers.
According to the L.A. Times, at least five deaths have occurred in Southern California attributed to after effects of the procedure that is growing in popularity. Billboards touting the Lap-Band procedure as the way to lose all the excess pounds have covered Southern California freeways in growing numbers.
The federal government is already in the midst of two separate investigations into the company's advertising practices that some allege are false and misleading. A Congressional inquiry as well as one being conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are underway.
The latest news is that AETNA informed media that it is cooperating with the California Department of Insurance. When asked to respond to AETNA's announcement, the operators of 1-800-GET-THIN claimed they were unaware of the latest test of its methods and defended their legal operation .
AETNA confirmed its cooperation with state insurance authorities that intends to "...investigate alleged fraud against our members by the 1-800-GET -THIN surgery centers. A spokesman for the state agency would not comment on AETNA's statement.
The Calif. state investigation has an enforcement bureau that has the power to pursue criminal charges against any licensed medical provide in the state. Criminal charges could be brought if it is found that inflated costs were charged to customers, then passed along to medical insurance companies.
It is reported that the Lap-Band's manufacturer, Allergan estimates that the average cost of a procedure ranges up to $20,000. The Lap-Band is a silicone ring placed around a patient's stomach filled with saline solution. It results in curbing overeating because of the pressure exerted on the stomach.
The ring is checked from time to time and the amount of saline is adjusted when necessary.
Multiple civil lawsuits have been filed against the company and former employees have instituted a whistle-blower case. They allege that the medical company performs surgeries on people who don't need it while billing insurers for procedures that weren't performed.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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