HopeThruFaith

I hate Cigna as well. They denied me last year for the band but I think it may have been with the ins coordinator at my old surgeon's office. My new surgeon submitted my paperwork on Feb 15 and was told in three days that my claim for the sleeve was denied because I had been denied for the band (different surgeon mind you) and that I needed to wait a year to resubmit for a WLS and that my policy does not permit an appeal process. WRONG. I called back and spoke to two different reps (just to be sure) and was assured that since I am using a different surgeon that my old denial holds no weight with getting my new request approved. I was also told that it would take 30 business days for a decision and there was no way to expedite it. I'm on pens and needles because my surgery date is March 20 and I've already gotten my medical leave at work approved. Keep us posted if you hear anything.

It does!!! I always wanted a brother LOL...keep me posted on your journey.

Congratulations!!! March 20th is my surgery date too!!!

Has anyone used him as a surgeon for the Sleeve? I had a consult with him and seemed pleased so far. His stats however concern me. He's done over 900 Bypasses, 300 Bands, but ONLY 30 sleeves.

I just had a consult with him on Thursday. Have you gotten your sleeve done yet?

Sorry to hear about your heart condition. I'm sure it's been hard. If you're anything like me the first thing I do is reach for food when I'm stressed or not feeling well. Thanks for the info on Dr. "Fuzzy" I keep hearing good things about him. I hope you get to feeling better and reach your goal!!!

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How was your experience? Did you use Dr. Fernandez by any chance?

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Has anyone been banded at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem NC?

Cigna denied me after making me wait 33 days for a descion despite the fact that I had satisfied all my requirements. They didn't like the way my doctor documented my 6 month supervised diet. We resubmitted with additional documentation si I'm back to playing the waiting game....so nerve wrecking :0(

Cigna took a whole 33 days to deny me. They said that my 6 month supervised diet was insufficient documentation and that it needed to have been within the last 24 months. The policy however clearly states that if I have documented obesity for five years I can use records older than 24 months but still within the five years. We've resubmitted with more recent paperwork but my concern now is that it's not all from the same provider. I'm sick to my stomach over this. I can't understand why it took them so long to deny SMH. I hope you guys have better success with getting approved.

Sorry to hear that. Rude people annoy me also. Our employees must selected different CIGNA plans for us. I know end of the year is usually open enrollment time, maybe they have another plan you can switch too.

Have you heard anything yet? I'm playing the waiting game too and can relate to what you're going through. It will be exactly 30 days Nov 2 (in two days) and I have heard NOTHING....very stressful.

Congratulations!!!!! How exciting. Have you got a surgery date yet?

Has anyone been told that only their surgeon's office can call to check the status of their approval/denial? They won't give me any information and I'm starting to get frustrated :0(

Has anyone been told that only their surgeon's office can call to check the status of their approval/denial?

I so know how you feel. I have read those same post about getting approved in a matter of days. I should have known I wouldn't be that fortunate LOL. I submitted Oct 4 and have called several times and have been read the "still pending" script. I am trying to remain patient and optimistic but boy do they make it difficult. LOL Please keep us posted on your approval.

My paperwork was submitted Oct 4 and still no response from Cigna. I did call last week and was told by a CSR that it was "approved" but still pending. Huh? So I asked to speak with the Pre-determination department and was told flat out "it has not been approved...still pending :0( I hope to hear good news since they have kept me in suspense for so long LOL. Please keep me posted on your status...

My tentative surgery date is December 1 (YAY) I am waiting on Cigna to approve surgery. It's already been over two weeks and I know that it can take up to thirty days but the wait is killing me. I called today and was told by customer service that I was approved but it was still "pending" which didn't make sense to me so I asked to speak with the pre-determination dept who told me the CSR was wrong...still not approved and is still being reviewed :0(

Congratulations on the approvals!!! My surgeon's office submitted my paperwork to Cigna on Oct 4 so I anxiously waiting. I hope I get an answer as quick as you guys did.

I received a call today at work from my coordinator at my surgeons office. She faxed over my packet to Cigna today. (YAY) I'm am super excited!!!! I can't think of anything that they could possibly want that I didn't put into the packet. If I'm defined it'll be out of pure hatred LOL. I have a BMI OF 62 (holy smokes batman) Hypertension, GERD, Mild sleep Apnea, Hyperthyroidism, and Chronic Back and Joint Pain. I have done every study/test under the moon, I have my past five years doctor's notes, and letter of medical

necessity from my PCP and Surgeon. The ONLY thing I am concerned with is the way my old doctor wrote up my 6

month supervised diet. She kinda lumped it all together in one statement. That she had treated me for obesity from June 2009 thru January 2010. She included three office notes and a chart that I had from my personal trainer that listed my monthly weigh ins, blood pressure, heart rate and

pulse. She did talk about my dietary plan and what I did as far as working out was concerned. She basically summed up my six month diet into two paragraphs. Does anyone here know just how "particular" Cigna is with the approval process?

I have it also and I love it. A great way to get some cardio when I don't feel like driving to the gym.

I wish my surgeon's office was like yours. They will only put you on the schedule for surgery once you've gotten the go ahead from the insurance company. The Bariatric coordinator says it can take 6-8 weeks from the time of approval. I'm cutting it pretty close which means everything gotta fall into place perfectly....

I had an Upper GI yesterday and I must say it was not as bad as some of the reviews on here. The barium wasn't the best thing I've tasted but it was not the worst that could have happened to me. I was fortunate and only had to do one standing which meant I only had to drink one cup of the barium. Overall I think you will do fine.

I'm with you....I'm so excited about the band I can't hardly wait. I know that things do happen and some people are not successful but I honestly think a lot of this will be mind over matter. If you THINK you will be successful YOU WILL BE successful. At least that's my mindset and I'm sticking to it LOL...

I have been given the official greenlight from everyone EXCEPT the sleep doctor. I don't think she's even read my sleep study yet. But once she's done that my Bariatric coordinator will have all the info to submit to insurance for approval. I am hoping to be banded before 12/31/11 since I've met my deductible and only have a small proportion of my Out Of Pocket left. So you already have a surgery date?

MST can you give me more details on the one you mentioned?

Thanks you guys. I have to say I couldn't sleep a wink last night. The tech never came in to put me on a CPAP so either I don't have sleep apnea or I slept so bad last night (waking up every hour) that they couldn't tell. I guess I'll know for sure in a few days. I did my Upper GI today which completed all my test. We should submit to Cigna sometime in the near week or so.

Roeroe, what's your next step in the process?