Please pray for me!!

[tanderson 3]

Well today I saw my surgeon (Dr. Naaman in Houston) and he agrees that I am a good candidate for the lap band. I completed all of my pre-op requirements for surgery, per Cigna,...psych eval, dietician consult, 6 month medically supervised diet (I actually did 7 though), diet history for the last 5 years, and 2 recommendation letters indicating that this is medically necessary. My BMI is 43 and I have GERD, chronic back pain, chronic knee pain, borderline high blood pressure, and depression. Sooooo the insurance girl at the surgeon's office said she will submit everything to Cigna in about 2 weeks...why it will take so long, I don't know because she has everything there in my chart, but anyway, after she submits she said that she will be in touch with Cigna every 2 weeks until they make a decision. The finance lady said that if I have everything that Cigna asks for, that they usually will approve the surgery. So please pray that I get approved! Also, do you think I should call Cigna at all during the approval process if the insurance girl says she is going to call every 2 weeks?

Peace out...

T~:hippie:

[isabelle290 0]

I am trying to get approval too from Cigna, but they still haven't made a decision. I was told to write a letter to them explaining why I needed the surgery and the struggles I have had with my weight all my life. Did you have an exclusion on your policy? I think my battle may have to do with the exclusion on my policy. They said I can fight it, but I don't know how long to keep fighting! Good luck and I will pray for you!

[tanderson 3]

Fortunately I do not have an exclusion on my policy. I hope that all goes well with your appeal. Thanks for praying for me and I will for you. GOOD LUCK!

peace out

T~

:hippie:

[wanabethin 0]

Good luck tanderson!!! :thumb: :welldoneclap:

I have cigna too and I found out on Tuesday that I am approved. My BMI is 43 as well with no cormobidities My surgeon's office submitted all the paper work to the insurace on Feb. 23. I called Cigna every week after that and last week I called every day. Still it took them 1 month to make a decision. Yesterday Cigna called my surgeon's office and I was able to schedule a my surgery for Wednesday, April 4, today I went for my pre-op cusultation and tests. I am very excited and getting everything ready for Wednesday:clap2: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: I think you'll be approve as well.:gluck:

[isabelle290 0]

I am happy for you!

[copywronger 1]

Did any of you find out you were approved for your surgery within the 2 weeks before your surgery?

I'm still waiting... while on LIQUIDS!!!... hoping i get an answer on Monday or Tuesday!!

[tanderson 3]

I'm surprised your surgeon would even put you on the books before hearing back from your insurance company. My surgeon will not do anything, other than the initial consult, until we hear from Cigna.:girl_hug:

Peace Out,:hippie:

T~

[copywronger 1]

ACTUALLY... I just found out about an hour ago... I'VE BEEN APPROVED! The surgeon even bumped up my surgery date! I'm going under the knife next Monday!!

I can't believe I'm having surgery in a WEEK!!! AGGH!!! YAY! :clap2:

[juliegeraci 7]

I would definitely call Cigna to find out the status. I did that every few days.

[tanderson 3]

I called the surgeon's office today and as they told me last week, they probably will not submit to Cigna until NEXT Thursday. I don't know why I am complaining, the lady there told me this was the case the day I had my first consult. I was just hoping that maybe she would have submitted sooner. I am just so tired of waiting...and not to mention I am beginning to believe that I will fail at this too if and when it finally does happen.

Peace Out,

T~:hippie:

[tanderson 3]

So I called Amanda today and she said everything was faxed over and she had a confirmation . She said it usually takes 3 full weeks to hear anything back from Cigna and that they (my surgeon's office) would handle everything from here and that it would not be necessary for me to call Cigna at all. So now comes the hard part of waiting. Just wanted to share with everyone to see if you wouldn't mind sending positive vibes my way...

Peace Out

T~:peace:

[396power 2]

An answer to prayer

that is a awsome vibe

[uniqueone 0]

You'll get it, Tanderson! No doubt about it!!!

[tiredoffat 0]

I am so upset, I found out a couple of weeks ago that my insurance won't pay they don't think it is medically neccesary. My first thought was to give up and forget about it, but I really want to ahve it done. Does anyone have any suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tanderson 3]

I know I have seen other threads where people have had to hire attorneys who specialize in the rights of obese people, maybe you could start a thread asking for some help in this area. Another question, did your primary care doctor or surgeon write a letter of medical necessity that was submitted to your insurance? And if so, maybe you should look in to appealing before you do anything else. Look around this forum and or start a new thread. Someone here will be able to help you. By the way, what insurance do you have?

Peace Out

T~:hippie: