Lipedema Surgery Settlement (Kazda v. Aetna)
Last verified September 18, 2026Source: atticusHow ClaimWatch verifies cases
Closed to new claims. Browse open settlements →
Where this case stands
Claims closed
Payments follow final court approval and the end of any appeals, typically twelve to twenty-four months after the claim deadline.
Before Judge William H. Orrick, United States District Court, Northern District of California (No. 3:19-cv-02512-WHO).
- May 9, 2019Case filed
- December 10, 2025Preliminary approval
The court allowed notice of the proposed settlement to go out to the class.
What happened
Aetna denied pre-authorization requests and post-service claims for lipedema surgery (liposuction to treat lipedema) between May 9, 2015, and September 1, 2020, classifying the procedures as cosmetic, experimental, or investigational. Aetna has since changed its clinical policy to recognize when lipedema surgery is medically necessary and will cover it going forward.
Do you qualify?
Aetna members who paid out-of-pocket for lipedema surgery after being denied coverage between May 9, 2015, and September 1, 2020 (for surgeries performed before September 1, 2022), or who were denied coverage during that period and have not yet had the surgery.
What you can claim
Read from the official settlement notice.
Reimbursement for out-of-pocket Lipedema Surgery expenses
Class members who paid out-of-pocket for Lipedema Surgery after a denial by Aetna between May 9, 2015, and September 1, 2020, can seek reimbursement for those expenses.
Resubmission of coverage requests for Lipedema Surgery
Persons denied Lipedema Surgery who have not yet undergone the surgery and are Aetna members can submit new coverage requests for Lipedema Surgery to be reviewed under the new coverage policy bulletin.
Who is in the class
Persons who paid out-of-pocket for Lipedema Surgery after cosmetic, experimental or investigational denial between May 9, 2015, and September 1, 2020, are eligible for reimbursement under a settlement agreement with Aetna, for surgeries that took place prior to September 1, 2022. Persons who were denied Lipedema Surgery by Aetna during the same time period, but have not yet undergone the surgery, and are Aetna members, are hereby notified that they can submit new coverage requests for Lipedema Surgery.
Quoted from the settlement notice.
How to file
Submit supporting documentation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred for lipedema surgery. The page does not specify exact claim procedures, deadlines, or what documentation is required; claimants should follow the detailed Notice referenced on the page.
Common questions
- Do I need proof of purchase for the Lipedema Surgery Settlement (Kazda v. Aetna)?
- Yes. This settlement asks for documentation with the claim; lipedemasurgerysettlement.com lists what is accepted.
- What is the status of the Lipedema Surgery Settlement (Kazda v. Aetna)?
- Claims closed. Payments follow final court approval and the end of any appeals, typically twelve to twenty-four months after the claim deadline.
- Is the Lipedema Surgery Settlement (Kazda v. Aetna) notice real, or a scam?
- Atticus Administration is the court-appointed administrator. Claims are filed only at lipedemasurgerysettlement.com. Filing is always free, and no administrator asks for payment or a full Social Security number by email or text.How to tell a real settlement notice from a scam →
- Who are the attorneys in the Lipedema Surgery Settlement (Kazda v. Aetna)?
- For the plaintiffs: Timothy James Morris (Gianelli & Morris); Adrian Jorge Barrio (Gianelli & Morris); Robert Steven Gianelli (Gianelli & Morris); Joshua Seth Davis (Gianelli & Morris). For Aetna Life Insurance Company: Tania L. Kazi (Alston & Bird LLP); Karan Singh Dhadialla (Baker Botts L.L.P.); Earl B. Austin , III (Baker Botts L.L.P.); Jonathan Acker Shapiro (Goodwin Procter LLP). From the public court docket.
Who's involved
Plaintiffs
- Michala Kazda
Defendants
- Aetna Life Insurance Company
Counsel for plaintiffs
- Timothy James MorrisGianelli & MorrisRepresents Michala Kazdatim.morris@gmlawyers.com · (213) 489-1600
- Adrian Jorge BarrioGianelli & MorrisRepresents Michala Kazdaadrian.barrio@gmlawyers.com · (213) 489-1600
- Robert Steven GianelliGianelli & MorrisRepresents Michala Kazdarob.gianelli@gmlawyers.com · (213) 489-1600
- Joshua Seth DavisGianelli & MorrisRepresents Michala KazdaJoshua.Davis@GMLawyers.com · (213) 489-1600
Counsel for defendants
- Tania L. KaziAlston & Bird LLPRepresents Aetna Life Insurance Company(415) 243-1000
- Karan Singh DhadiallaBaker Botts L.L.P.Represents Aetna Life Insurance Companykaran.dhadialla@bakerbotts.com · (415) 291-6203
- Earl B. Austin , IIIBaker Botts L.L.P.Represents Aetna Life Insurance Company4 tracked cases · $2M in disclosed settlements defendedearl.austin@bakerbotts.com · (214) 953-6542
- Jonathan Acker ShapiroGoodwin Procter LLPRepresents Aetna Life Insurance Company3 tracked cases · $44.8M in disclosed settlements defendedJShapiro@goodwinlaw.com · (415) 733-6202
Other cases these firms appear in
- Thompson Coburn LLP Data Breach Settlement · Alston & Bird LLP
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- UPS Tariff Class Action · Alston & Bird LLP
- Siete Bucks Spirits Fraud Class Action · Alston & Bird LLP
- Haselman v. Schlumberger Technology Corporation ERISA Class Action · Baker Botts L.L.P.
From the public court docket, contact details as filed; not an endorsement.
In the news
Headlines via NewsAPI.
Guides:Why is my settlement check so small?How long a settlement takes to pay outIs this settlement notice real, or a scam?
Summarised from public settlement documents; confirm terms on the official settlement website. ClaimWatch is not a law firm, and filing a claim is free.