CIGNA people-How long did it take for approval/denial?

[michiganer 0]

JennyPoo,

My employer is out of FL and my Cigna covers it. I would do what ForestCat said and call them to get more answers. ForestCat, I am going to wait until tomorrow to see what happens. So far, the place I want to have the surgery has been really helpful and smart about how they approach things. The surgeon is the one that will do the peer to peer. Unfourtunately, my PCP is a jerk and he wrote me a really crappy letter of necessity. We didn't even use it when we sent the stuff to Cigna because it was so bad. I got a letter from my endo. I really think the peer to peer is what is going to do it so pray and keep your fingers crossed!

:eek:

[Big Fred 0]

To All,

I got the word yesterday, I have been approved by Cigna!

It took three weeks to hear back from them but they approved me for the lap band. My surgery date is 10/25, it will be here before you know it. I have my pre-op with my surgeon on 10/17 and everything is finally falling into place.

My thanks to all for your good wishes, vibes and prayers, they really helped.

For those that are going through the insurance struggle - hang in there and be persistent. I called every week to see where the paperwork was, even got to know the case worker on a first name basis.

Now I need to take the other road and prepare myself for the changes that will be coming.

As things progress I will keep everyone updated. This site and the people on it are a blessing, use them as a sounding board and a way to vent your frustrations - it really works.

Thanks again and stayed tuned.

To be banded in CT - 10/25

374 Highest Ever

348 current

??? After banding

[newlife 0]

Big Fred,

Congrats to you. I am dealing with Cigna now. Hope you got them all softened up for me.

Happy Banding,

Karen

[jennypoo1 0]

That was very encouraging. Currently I am in the insurance battle. But mine is a little different. Cigna tells me all gastric surgery is excluded from my policy, but my HR dept tells me that we have no exclusions! I dont know how this can be but i'm prayn that my company is right so i can get this ball rolling!

[jennypoo1 0]

Congrats on your aprproval! You're in your way!

[parisluver 1]

Jenny

Any luck with Cigna? I am just starting the process here in Calif. I had breast reduction a few years ago and was told it might be covered then last minute found out my employer had excluded it from their plan...I haven't even really checked to find out if they have an exclusion to their policy...would just be my luck!

Hope yours came through!

[michiganer 0]

BigFred,

That is awesome news!! Congrats! I'm going to keep fighting the good fight and hopefully I will be approved too! Good luck and keep us posted!

[Donnajade 0]

Big Fred - YEA!!!! I knew it would happen. I'm getting banded the 23rd so I'll be thinking of you on the 25th.

[michiganer 0]

I got a call today saying the Cigna approved me!! Woo Hoo!!! I can't believe this will finally happen! I started this back in January and it has been a long road. To all those that have Cigna and have been denied, don't get discouraged! The key to this whole thing is to stay on top of everything. It is a long road and only the determined will make it. Thanks for all the support from everyone on this thread!

[Big Fred 0]

miciganer,

I was so happy to hear that you were approved

I know it was a long journey, but your on your way. Good Luck!

Do you have a date yet?

[michiganer 0]

Thanks Big Fred! I just spoke with the scheduler this morning and she said once I get my pulminary clearance and psych eval done, we can schedule a date. She said to hurry because half of November is already filled and some of December. I am on it though! I have an appt for the pulminologist on Thursday, I will be getting the chest x-ray today and I have left a message for the psychologist. I am a little annoyed about the psych thing because I have already done it with a psychologist that took insurance and I was cleared. But the place I am getting my surgery has a deal with this psychologist and you must go through her before they will accept everything. What sucks about it is that she doesn't take insurance and she charges $500 big ones! She has it made in the shade! Anyway, I really can't be too negative because I am on my way. $500 bucks is a tiny hurdle after all I've been through. I will keep everyone updated once I get through these things and get a date. Thanks for the support!!

:bounce:

[ginny two 0]

Congratulations, Michiganer and Big Fred!!!

I have Cigna and after reading this entire thread I am feeling a wee bit down. I was hoping that I could have this done next week.:nervous

Okay, I haven't even been to the seminar, yet. I go tomorrow.

Can someone explain to me what the purpose is of the six month diet? Are they looking to see if you have the discipline to stick to it or are they checking to see if you really can't do it and need the band? I need to know which way to go on this. (Sorry, I like to kid around a lot.) My BMI is 47.5 right now. What happens if the diet gets you below 38 or whatever the cutoff is? I feel like crying after reading all of this. :think

Ginny

[Sooverit! 1]

:clap2:Congratualations Mich! Awsome news! :clap2:

[michiganer 0]

Thanks Sooverit!!

GinnyTwo-I hate to tell you this but there is really no way to avoid the 6-month diet. The best way to do this is to do everything Cigna asks. I went to a seminar in mid-January. I jumped through all the hoops and just got approved a few days ago. It only took me about 11 months lol. I know it seems like 6 months is forever but it is worth it. My plan with the whole diet thing was to just stay the same weight. I was worried that if I lost a bunch of weight, Cigna would say 'look, you lost weight with this program so now we won't approve the surgery for you'. I am not sure if my plan mattered at all to Cigna when they looked at my paperwork but it is what I felt I had to do. I was denied once I turned in everything for a reason that is still unclear to me. Then my insurance coordinator (the insurance person at US Bariatrics where I am having my surgery) got the surgeon to do a peer-to-peer. That means he spoke to one of Cigna's doctors and explained why I need surgery. It worked! I was approved a few days ago.

I guess the moral of the story is not to waste your time trying to avoid the inevitable. Cigna WILL require the 6-month diet and many other time-consuming tests. My advice is to schedule it now. This board is full of support and many people have already been through what you are about to go through. Don't get discouraged and remember, there IS a light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck!

[jlw190 0]

hi can you send to me the process that you used. I can't believe you got approved so quickly.

thanks.