mtanna

Everything is going and did go perfectly. Never had one day of trouble. I had 2 days of feeling uncomfortable from the gas they put in your stomach but other than that, I was up and around the day after. Feel free to contact me anytime before and after your surgery. I've learned alot just in the past (going on) 3 weeks. Keep me posted as well...

Hi Holly, You appear to have more 'problems' than I did and I was approved. Just keep on them, basically don't take no for an answer. If they deny you the first time, then ask them why over and over and over (Call everyDAY!!, I called twice a day). I know this is the scary part, having your future in someone elses hands but thats just it, its YOUR future and you have the right to fight for it. You pay your premium every month so fight them if they deny you... Also, remember more than likely they WILL deny you the first time (maybe), this is just Cigna's way of trying to get you to give up so don't...!!! Promise me you won't! I had my surgery Sept. 10th and its a blessing. I really hope you get this...I wish you all the best!

Just wanted to say Hi!! I've been looking around the board for awhile now but never posted until the other day. I haven't been approved for band surgery yet but I do know for a fact it's sitting on someone's desk at the Cigna office so it shouldn't be much longer for an 'approve or deny' result. Anyway, I'm so happy there are so many people on this board that have had the surgery and are available to talk to... This will be my first surgery EVER (excluding my tonsils when I was 5 yrs old)

The best advice I can give you Puju is to be prepared to be denied the first time. Cigna especially is known for denying the first go around. Keep on them though....call daily and request updates and information on what they are needing to move forward with the process of approval.

Hey Kimberly!! YES I was approved, September 10th at 1:00 pm Central Time I get my surgery. The best advice I can give you is CALL, CALL, CALL!! If you've taken care of all the requirements, you should be fine. HOWEVER, please don't be discouraged because there is a good chance you'll be denied the first time. You have to be on your game though, don't give up. DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!! Do you have a letter from your doctor stating you NEED this surgery? I say that because if you are below the BMI requirement then you need to get a letter to them ASAP. They may not need it but I worked almost everyday getting them every single bit of information I could. Good luck in your journey and please let me know if there's anything you need from me. I will be happy to help in anyway that I can. I know the frustration and the pain of being denied. I cried for 2 hours the first time they told me no. My sister let me feel sorry for myself for all of that 2 hours then told me to get off my a$$ and fight for what I wanted and I did....and it worked. I'm here .....Anyone and everyone is welcome to ask me anything having to do with Cigna!! I feel like I'm an expert at this point:sneaky:

With Cigna, you want to make sure you have a copy of everything that was submitted first of all... Then, make sure there is CLEAR indication in your paperwork that you have the 2 years of BMI being at or above 40. You need a medical necessity letter...definitely. And the last thing that *I* did was I sent a letter directly to the nurse handling my case. In this instance it was Susan Smith out of Pittsburg, PA. I addressed her personally and explained why I wanted and needed the surgery and that I had worked hard at getting all the information she requested and I even went as far as breaking down the timeframe of my BMI. 2006 = 40, 2007 = 45, etc... The letter was about 1/2 a page but I just quickly outlined how weight had been an issue since I was a teenager, how I wanted to be healthier for me and my family....and so on. It was 2 days after I confirmed she received my letter that I was approved. Do you have the contact information to get to the people who handle the pre-cerfications? I called them DAILY....once in the morning and once right before I left work. They actually knew me by name before I finally got my answer... The people that answer, (MOST) are very, very, nice and want to help you. Let me know if you have any more questions... I'm not sure what I can do but I'll help you anyway that I can with questions or what I had to do...just let me know.:tongue2: Good LUCK!!

Hi All!! Just had to drop in to say that I got my approval letter from Cigna today!! I didn't necessarily want to sign in just to say that, but I did want to say to all of you just starting or in the middle or at the point of maybe giving up.... DON'T!!!! Dealing with Cigna was the hardest, most frustrating, pain in the butt I've ever had to experience but I didn't and WOULD NOT, give up. Keep calling these insurance companies, go for what you really want... Don't let them beat you down because I'm telling you it's all a game with them. They figure if they keep saying no, you'll eventually give up and they don't have to pay for a surgery but those of you that have to take medication because of your weight issues, will have to continue to pay them money every month to survive. They make more money if YOU stay unhealthy. Good luck to you all and please, don't take no for an answer!! I was denied 3 times before I was approved but I will tell you one thing, I was on the phone with Cigna DAILY asking if I was approved yet and demanding answers as to "why not" and "what do you need from me" and "who do I need to call now".....blah, blah!!:behindsofa:

:thumbup:Cigna will have you standing on your head while eating spaghetti if they thought you'd back down from trying to get this surgery.... I'm on my 2nd appeal with them right now and I refuse to give up. Hang in there....!!

As weird as this sounds and I can't believe I'm saying.... The 6 months go by really, really, fast. Since you have most of it done, the rest will be a breeze. The WAITING for approval is what's so nerve wracking.... Hang in there, don't get down!!

Hey MyTurn.... I'm going to Dallas to have mine done. Dr. Benavides with LapBand Solutions. I'm pretty much a chicken poop when it comes to surgery since this will be my first since my tonsils were taken out when I was 5 years old. I wanted someone with a LOT of experience.... However, I will be honest and say I've heard a lot of good things about the drs (all over) doing these procedures. Do you have Cigna??

To receive approved or denied from Cigna??? I've only been waiting almost 10 days but it seems like a lifetime. I was just wondering how long it took others..:biggrin:

I'm waiting on approval from my insurance company AND I'm in Tyler TX also. My paperwork was submitted 5/5 but I can't get anymore on the status except pending :wink2:. You'll have to re-submit ASAP. I had another friend here who was denied but resubmitted and was approved in 3 days.

Hi All.... I'm new to the board. I was wondering if anyone had a 800 number for Cigna that isn't the recording? There's a number out there somewhere that goes directly to the authorization department but I can't find it.

My first time to post.... I've been lurking around the boards for a few months now but never setup a profile until today. All requirements have been met, just waiting on approval from Cigna to move forward. I'm more nervous about being approved or denied than I am about the surgery itself. I live in Tyler, TX but I'm having my surgery done by Dr. Benavides in Dallas. This will be my first surgery ever (excluding having my tonsils taken out when I was 5 yrs old) so I wanted to make sure I got someone who was experienced and appears to also be well liked. So.... Just wanted to drop in and say HI!!