NewLeaf15

Congrats!

Just wanted to share the awesome email response I received from my boss: I was nervous to email my area director for the company as she's overseeing the hotel I'm working. I emailed her with 5 doctor appointments prior to the surgery date to ensure she's aware when I'll be out of the office and I thanked her for understanding. This was her response: Hi I know that this will be a tough time for you. However, you need to concentrate on making this what will be the healthiest choice for you. Please make sure that you are at all your appointments and also taking the right amount of time off. Thank you, I wasn't expecting that much of an amazing response, but I'm thankful. I was nervous about taking many days off so I told her I would try to only take a few days off, pending how I feel, and she told me in person it's better if I take off the time I need instead of getting sick due to not allowing my body to heel. I just wanted to share the awesome email.

Congrats on your approval!

I'm scheduled for 12/9 I would love to stay in touch! Yeah Definitely!

I'm scheduled for 12/9

Hello! Yesterday I went for my 4th and final NUT appointment and the nurse called me this morning saying she submitted the paperwork to Cigna. She said that at times they will call the patient first, and if they do call me, to let her know but she would let me know the status as soon as she hears. She said most likely by the end of next week. I have so much anxiety right now. I just pray I don't get denied. I would be devastated. She said that we completed all the necessary requirements and I should be fine, but I don't want to be that unlucky person. I'm hoping I get to hear by early next week, but that's pushing my luck.

Thanks! Surgery will be December 9th. How Exciting! oh awesome!! We will be Sleeve buddies!

Thanks! Surgery will be December 9th. How Exciting!

thank you! I'm antsy to hear about a date.

I called this morning assuming they were going to say it's pending but they said it's approved. She gave me the approval code and said they will send over the approval to the clinic. It took only 2 days from Cigna. How exciting! I'm just waiting for the nurse to call me so we can schedule a date.

I'm in the same boat as you. I had my last appointment yesterday as well and the paperwork was submitted today. Good luck!

Oh nice! Submitted on a Tuesday as well. Did you receive a surgery date yet? I know my center did everything Cigna required and they actually like to send extra paperwork so the insurance won't question them, but I'd hate to give Cigna a reason to deny me. I'm just trying to stay positive.

Thank you!

When was your paperwork submitted? I'm hoping it can be approved by Friday, but I don't want to push my luck lol.. I'll just hope the latest would be next Friday. Thank you!

Thank you! I hope I can be approved as quick as you were... the nurse said it would be tough to fit me for November as the dates are almost booked. She also told me 2 weeks, but I think it's to give them ample time, but when I called Cigna they said it's usually between 5-7 business days. I hope it's in 2! lol.. But I'm going to maintain with next Friday, so I don't get my hopes up. thanks again!

Sharon1964 - Thank you for clarifying that for me!

Hello, I'm hoping for some positive vibes.. Here's my situation... I work for a managed hotel company, and the old management company returned us to the bank and a new management company came in.. Unfortunately my luck, the old company agreed to pay Cigna premium through October 31st and my last nutritional appointment is Monday, November 2nd. The new company looked for a new insurance for us but it's "individual" and not a company "group" insurance through United Healthcare. I called the number they provided and they said bariatric surgery is not covered since it's an individual plan. I looked at Cobra and it's $738 per month. Yes, nauseating. I called Cobra and Cigna and they said I would still be covered if I Cobra. After calling all insurance and getting it cleared, I decided to Cobra. I wrote a check today for $1476 to cover me through December. Thankfully I can pull that from my savings. Everyone at my job is freaking out about the insurance because the United Healthcare policy is extremely high and barely covers anything. I then called the bariatric center and I told her the information and thankfully they've been super helpful. They said as soon as I come in next Monday for my last nut appointment that they would submit that Tuesday so we can move the process quickly. She said if all goes well, the surgery would be about the 2nd week of December if Cigna approves within the time frame they usually do and they don't bounce back the paperwork. I just have a lot of anxiety with this insurance. It's like I'm almost there but I keep getting pulled back. My mother said it will all work out. I just need to stay positive. Has anyone else gone through a cobra situation? Thank you!

They're forecasting the week of December 14th or the week of December 21st. Hopefully the week of the 14th. :::crossing fingers::::

Thank you so much for the information you provided! I actually didn't know I would get a new card. I thought everything would stay the same and I would use the same Cigna card. Once they process my check I will give them a call and see if they can forward the new card to me. I want to ensure I have all my T's crossed and i's dotted during these process. As for the 90 day global fees you mentioned, I Google'd the information.. Correct me if I'm wrong, but any follow up after the procedure would require additional fees? Did I understand that correctly. As for tax write-off, I did hear that from someone and hopefully I'm able to do that. Thank you again. Hopefully if all goes well it would be for December.

Hello, I'm in the middle of my process. I currently have Cigna and they cover bariatric surgery with a 90 day supervised diet. I did all of the other requirements and just waiting on time. Next week is my 3rd consult and the bariatric center I'm visiting likes to add a 4th visit to ensure the insurance company won't deny it. They said Cigna is pretty good. Now I'm in the process of getting a new job (unexpectedly). I asked about their insurance and they have United. I'm like freaking the heck out!! I might turn this job down, (even though it's a better career opportunity) because I keep reading that UHC doesn't cover it. I figured I would come to the experts, you guys. I read that it requires a 6 months supervised diet so this would push it from November to end of January. I live in Florida, in case that makes a different. I've searched and searched the web about the coverage and I keep reading contradicting information. I also left a voicemail at the Bariatric center to see what they say but I haven't heard from them. any thoughts on United Healthcare? Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your input.. Here's an update.. I'm hoping people with this experience can give me some insight... I'm currently under Cigna and the management company at my hotel is changing and they're covering us until October 30th, just my luck that the center is going to submit the paperwork on November 4th for approval so at that point I won't be under Cigna anymore. I spoke to the rep of the old management company and she said that we will be receiving Cobra paperwork in mid October to extend the insurance for another 18 months, however I would have to pay the 100% premium which she said it's high. At this point I rather pay the premium and know I'll have the Surgery in November. Now I spoke to the new management company coming in and I told her my concern, she said that they have United Healthcare and they have 3 different plans and we would talk more about it on Thursday when the new company arrives. I know United is 6 months for nutrition and Cigna is 90 days. My fear is that if I go with Cobra, will they cover it? Will Cobra cover the same exact thing Cigna covered? I don't mind paying the premium, I just want to be able to be covered under the same exact coverage Cigna had me under. They told me it's best not to have two insurance because it gets messy. I did some research last night and it seems that Cobra would cover whatever Cigna covered. I just don't want to be denied. Any insight how Cobra works, or what you would recommend? Thank you!