Is Cigna always a nightmare to get approval?

[sissytx 4]

I have read so many horror stories about Cigna.

Anyone get approved the first time? How many business days do the have to respond ?

My insurance coordinator said they always come back the first time saying they are missing paperwork.

Hope to be submitted after my last NUT visit on 4/22/13

Any tips would be awesome.

[madeformore 25]

Hi

I am pre-op. Just wanted to answer your question. I have Cigna and was approved with the first submission by my surgical group.

I had already familiarized myself with Cigna's policy on bariatric surgery, so I knew going in that I exceeded their BMI minimums and I had already met their requirements for a medically supervised program, before I began seriously exploring surgery.

I do not know all the ins and outs of what took place between Cigna and my medical group. All I know is that I was notified I had been approved about 5 weeks after I went in for the initial consult.

I hope that is an encouagement to you.... but I'm not sure. Best thing I can say is to hang in there and keep working with your medical group and Cigna to provide what they ask you for.

If you go to Cigna's homepage, you can search 'bariatric' and find their policy on approving the surgery - if you have not done that already.

Best of luck to you!

[Stacey79 12]

I have Cigna and yes it was a nightmare but don't give up, they just like to play hard ball. They denied me 3 times through my surgeons office. I finally got to appeal the decision myself and was approved within a week. Just make sure you turn in everything and have things worded correctly by doctors. I was being denied because my doctor wrote Iwas a good candidate for the surgery due to low risk of complications. Cigna wanted the exact words "cleared for surgery" and after I had my doctor write that Iwas approved!!

[Not Applicable 52]

I have Cigna too. My surgery coordinator mentioned they are by far one of the more difficult insurances to work with. I was initially denied, but approved upon appeal. I hope your process is fast & easy.

[Roxanne Hughes 10]

I have read so many horror stories about Cigna.

Anyone get approved the first time? How many business days do the have to respond ?

My insurance coordinator said they always come back the first time saying they are missing paperwork.

Hope to be submitted after my last NUT visit on 4/22/13

Any tips would be awesome.

I too am with Cigna AND have my last Nut visit on 4/22/13. I am in Indiana. I will be interested to compare the two. I don't know how long it will take for me to get an apt. With my surgeon once I get insurance approval. My insurance girl said the more you have wrong (apnea, diabetics, HBP, arthritis, ect.....) the better off you are with approval. Let's keep up with each other on this.

[Ladydawg2009 39]

I have cigna and was denied the first time. It was because my pcp did not do a letter of medical clearance, which is different that a letter of medical necessity. If everything is done just as they ask, they approve quickly. Even with my denial, I was approve two weeks after the first submission.

[Roxanne Hughes 10]

I have Cigna and yes it was a nightmare but don't give up' date=' they just like to play hard ball. They denied me 3 times through my surgeons office. I finally got to appeal the decision myself and was approved within a week. Just make sure you turn in everything and have things worded correctly by doctors. I was being denied because my doctor wrote Iwas a good candidate for the surgery due to low risk of complications. Cigna wanted the exact words "cleared for surgery" and after I had my doctor write that Iwas approved!![/quote']

That's what my insurance girl said about Cigna. My doctor had to use the term......I give medical clearance.

[bmbrush413 124]

I have read so many horror stories about Cigna.

Anyone get approved the first time? How many business days do the have to respond ?

My insurance coordinator said they always come back the first time saying they are missing paperwork.

Hope to be submitted after my last NUT visit on 4/22/13

Any tips would be awesome.

I was approved the first time around. You are correct that they come back the first time saying they are missing paperwork. The scheduler at my surgeon's office said that letter is automatically triggered and not to panic - it goes to everyone even though the doctor had sent everything. I got another letter a few days later that I was approved. I followed all of their requirements to a T - their 6 months of supervised nutrition, all of the doctor visits... It wasn't that big of a deal. They even approved an extra night in the hospital since I wasn't able to get my liquids in to the doctor's satisfaction.

[sissytx 4]

That is good to hear. I have also followed everything to a t. Need a revised letter saying I have clearance. Can't get a response from her. I will keep calling. Want everything ready by last last appointment .

Thanks for all who responded.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I have Cigna and got approved in under 48 hours. I think a lot has to do with the insurance coordinator at your surgeon's office. In my city, the biggest (by far, we are basically a one-horse town) employer offers BCBS and Cigna plans, and so our insurance coordinator deals with those companies extensively and can basically rattle off their requirements in her sleep and knows exactly what needs to be done. I knew she was good but I didn't expect approval in less than two days!