Waiting for Cigna's approval is consuming me!

[banditchic 83]

My bariatric coordinator submitted everything to my insurance (Cigna) 8 days ago. I've tried to stay patient, but just can't. I called Cigna Monday, and they said it was still under review, but they should have an answer within 48 hours. Then I called yesterday, and they said the same thing except now they will have an answer within the next 5 business days...uggghhh! I'm obsessed with getting an answer, and really stressing over this. I just have to call again today. I wonder if I'm hurting or helping by calling so much? Or if it doesn't even matter? Anybody else waiting IMPATIENTLY with me?

[jamari 12]

Hello there any news??

[banditchic 83]

Hi jamari No news yet. I plan on doing my daily call here in a bit. Thank you very much for asking

[jamari 12]

Please keep me posted. My surgeons office submitted the papers last Wednesday (12/12/12) and yesterday the coordinator called me to ask for a diet history. So apparently they are working on my case but I don't have an answer yet. I am schedule for dec 27th but if they don't approve me before that obviously they'll reschedule .... Lets see I have my fingers and toes crossed. Good luck to you!!! Ohhh by the way I also have Cigna

[Jen35 283]

I also have Cigna, so I'm interested to see how long it takes. Mine was just submitted yesterday (12/17), but I thought the office had submitted right after my last appointment on 12/6. So 11 days wasted.

[Ms_JackieDMV 18]

Me too my doctor office suppose to submitt last Friday it is now Tuesday. I don't wanna be a pess but this is frustrating. I also have Cigna

[banditchic 83]

I did my daily call to Cigna this afternoon to find out NOTHING as usual. It's been exactly 2 weeks since I was submitted. My bariatric coordinator said it could take up to 6 weeks. I am so impatient. Keep me posted with your journeys, Cigna friends!!!

[jamari 12]

Hello Friends. I am very impatient too a week ago today they submitted my papers.... Still too soon for me but let's see what happens. Hope you guys have a wonderful day. We will talk later.

[OnAJourney 177]

your not alone... mine was submitted 12/7 and i still havent heard anything... i also have Cigna and have called twice... its driving me NUTS. My surgery is set for Dec 28th, i did my preop tests today.. im on day TWO of the ten day liquid diet. We are trying to push it to be done this year becuase i have met my out of pocket max. If i dont get approval before surgery day... they will move it back or move it to Jan and i did the liquid for nothing... talk about fustration! I havent been sleeping and im so stressed i cant take much more.. im jumping everytime the phone rings.

[banditchic 83]

My surgeon won't set a date until Cigna approves. Today was the first day that I didn't call Cigna to check my status. I'm right there with you about "going nuts". The stress of waiting is horrible. I'm guessing Cigna is waiting until Jan 1 to give me an answer so that I have to meet my full deductible again before they will pay anything. If they make me wait a full month, and then deny me, I'm gonna be REALLY pissed! Grrrrrrr!!!!! Keep me posted! Hope you hear SOON!

[banditchic 83]

Denied

My Cigna requires a bmi of 40 or a bmi of 35-39 with 1 comorbitidy. My bmi is 36, but I have urge incontinence and hyperlipidemia. Cigna said that urge incontinence didn't count, and my hyperlipidemia wasn't supported strongly enough from my doctor that the sleeve would fix it. That's crap! Cigna has my lab results stating that I have hyperlipidemia, but that's not good enough? So, I just dropped off a letter at my doctor's office asking them to fax a letter to Cigna stating that I did need the surgery to help me lower the hyperlipidemia. With everything in the news lately, and this info, I'm just sad.

[maalleh 7]

My experience with CIGNA was a long drawn out process. I submitted the forms to my surgeon at an informational seminar back in April. The insurance coordinator sent me a list of requirements that I had to meet before it could even be submitted to CIGNA. Five year diet history which I got from my PCP, four meetings with a nutritionist, a psychological evaluation, and a few other tests. I had a minor health set back in July and was hospitalized. Once I got back on my feet I completed the necessary tests and scheduled my consult with the surgeon in early October. My paperwork was submitted to CIGNA the next day. I was advised to expect an answer within 2 to 4 weeks. Well 4 weeks went by and nothing, so I stopped by the doctor's office. I called CIGNA the next day and they did not even have my paperwork. What? Apparently or so I was told CIGNA had changed the way doctors submit paperwork and evidently mine didn't go thru. They resubmitted my paperwork and I got an immediate denial letter stating that WLS was not covered by my benefit plan. I contacted my benefits department and was assured that it was covered and to call CIGNA and have my doctor call too. Well I called CIGNA almost every day for the next week. After about the third call an associate went thru my company's contract an lo and behold there it was on page 62 WLS was a covered benefit. After that it probably took another week to get their systems straightened out and I got my approval. I was sleeved on December 17. I had to be my own advocate. If you believe it should be covered don't give up.

[OnAJourney 177]

UPDATE!

after alot of stress and WAITING... I APPROVED!!!!!!!!! Cinga denied it at first... it was an issue with the 90 days NSWL(wasnt up until dec 26th)... we corrected it.. and re sent paperwork YESTERDAy,., it was approved yesterday afternoon... i found out today. Im beside myself... i screamed into the phone when i got the call... my poor insurance cord was screaming too LOL... she has been fighting tooth and nail for me!

I go to the Hospt tomorow morning at 5:30 am... set for the surgery at 7am... im SO nervouse im trying hard not to throw up right now. I hope everyone else gets there approval fast! 20 days of stress about killed me.

[banditchic 83]

UPDATE!

after alot of stress and WAITING... I APPROVED!!!!!!!!! Cinga denied it at first... it was an issue with the 90 days NSWL(wasnt up until dec 26th)... we corrected it.. and re sent paperwork YESTERDAy,., it was approved yesterday afternoon... i found out today. Im beside myself... i screamed into the phone when i got the call... my poor insurance cord was screaming too LOL... she has been fighting tooth and nail for me!

I go to the Hospt tomorow morning at 5:30 am... set for the surgery at 7am... im SO nervouse im trying hard not to throw up right now. I hope everyone else gets there approval fast! 20 days of stress about killed me.

YEA!!!!!!! Congrats! I'm so happy and excited for you!!!!

[maalleh 7]

UPDATE!

after alot of stress and WAITING... I APPROVED!!!!!!!!! Cinga denied it at first... it was an issue with the 90 days NSWL(wasnt up until dec 26th)... we corrected it.. and re sent paperwork YESTERDAy' date='., it was approved yesterday afternoon... i found out today. Im beside myself... i screamed into the phone when i got the call... my poor insurance cord was screaming too LOL... she has been fighting tooth and nail for me!

I go to the Hospt tomorow morning at 5:30 am... set for the surgery at 7am... im SO nervouse im trying hard not to throw up right now. I hope everyone else gets there approval fast! 20 days of stress about killed me.[/quote']

You'll do fine and home again before you know it.