slimteacherin08

After waiting for over 3 weeks, I finally was done playing the insurance game. I am getting close to my August 25th surgery date and I decided I wasn't going to let CIGNA cause anymore sleepless nights! Last night I was so worried that it wasn't going to be approved, I couldn't sleep! I mean why else would it take so long. So this morning tired and cranky I decided to call them and tell them I wanted answers. I spoke to two different upper management people telling them that by the end of the day today I should have my answer (just like two of the customer service people told me. I guess they weren't suppose to tell me that.) I also had to threaten for my husband to contact his company's benefits department and get them involved if I didn't get answers. He works for a huge government company in Florida. I asked her if we needed to do that. At 9:45am I got off the phone. I called them back at 1:00pm, to see what had been done. I found out...... I WAS APPROVED! She told me that it was approved by 10:30am and that the paperwork was sent out in the mail today. I guess I had to show them how much this meant to me! I am excited to join the this special group and I can't wait to see the results! I am looking forward to my journey!

I know! I felt very empowered today! :biggrin2: I feel like a new me today.

I created a group for teachers with the band. Figured we could share our progress, ideas for lunch or anything else on our minds. Join if interested..... Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - Teaching With The Band

I contacted CIGNA today. I guess my paperwork is in the predetermenation stage with pending in the computer. The insurance specialist for my surgeon says it is in the right spot. I continue to await their decision. It was so hard not to advocate to the customer service rep all the reason it needs to be approved. So I guess I will continue to wait. I am just so excited. I can't wait to be a healthy me!

I finished my six months of PCP/diet history the end of June. My surgeon's office faxed all of my records for diet history, psych, and nutrition to CIGNA on Friday, July 18. They say I will have a wait anywhere from 7 to 30 days. I was told it was a good solid submission and they wouldn't of sent it if there were holes in it. They seem pretty sure of approval. Still waiting is the hardest part. I have a tentative date for surgery scheduled for August 25th. A month away. I hope to hear from my insurance soon. How long have others waited? Keeping my fingers crossed for approval soon!!!

I teach 1st Grade! I will hopefully be banded in August (pending insurance approval.) It will be interesting to see how lunch does go!

I am planning on having my surgery next month and my husband and I are discussing the recovery process...He asked a good question and I was hoping someone here might have an answer or suggestion. My husband is taking the day of my surgery off from work to take me to and from, and to make sure everything is okay at home. We were wondering if day two of post-op would require someone else being home with me? How was the week of recovery? We are trying to plan ahead so he can put in for his time off. Thanks for the help!

I don't know what CIGNA's stand is if your BMI gets below 35. I don't think they are looking to see if you lose (per say) during your six months, but just to see that you made efforts. Also, CIGNA now requires proof of your weight from two years ago. I believe this was new this May. I was able to use the records from a doctor's visit from two years ago, where my weight was documented. I guess this is so CIGNA knows that you didn't just decide to gain all this weight just to have the surgery! I just had to laugh. I know it is silly, but you are right they have all the control and we have to play their game. I just hope I am good at playing it! Anything I learn along the way I will share with you! Good luck to you and keep me posted!

Kimberly, I have CIGNA too. I started back in January with a PCP visit for the six month PCP/diet history. In January I also did my psych. eval. and my nutritionist vist. Then I continued visiting my PCP for the next 5 months. A little over a week ago my surgeon's insurance specialist sent everything off to CIGNA for approval. Now just waiting for them to give the go ahead. She has dealt with them for years and feels it was a solid submission. I would say get started with everything now. So once those visits are over everything can be faxed over.

I wanted to have the procedure over the summer too, but seems how I went to the seminar in January and found out my insurance requires 6 months diet history with your PCP, it has taken a long time to get here. I was hoping to get the surgery before school started. We go back to school August 11th and they have the surgery date set for August 25th. I will miss school for it, and my principal is very understanding and supportive. She fully believes my health comes first! So I am blessed for that!

I am glad to know others had to play the waiting game too. I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hoping my fingers won't cramp up!