Cigna Question--any advice?

[pfisher 72]

So my insurance will be changing September 1 from Medicaid to Cigna. My first appointment with my medical provider related to weight management was June 8, second July 12, and third was yesterday. The first appointment with the bariatric surgeon was 8/9. Will Cigna count my first appointment for weight loss or the date with the surgeon to start the 90 day waiting period? I'm not sure where to start with this question so I wanted to ask those who have gone through this process about your experiences. Could my sleeve surgery happen as early as October or as late as December?

I've already completed labs, EKG, Chest X-ray, and two support group meetings. I have scheduled appointments with dietician, psych, and cardiac eval.

Any advice, answers, and guidance based on your experiences with Cigna is appreciated!

Thanks!

[BT816 82]

Hi there - My experience with Cigna was positive throughout the process, and I did not have any issues getting approved. My time frame began when I first met with the surgeon (Jan 21 in my case), and then I needed to have 3 additional visits with exercise physiologist/dietitian over the next 89 days (as well as complete psych evaluation and get my PCP and cardiologist to sign off). The only weight stipulation I had was that I needed to weigh less than the weight recorded on my 1st visit with the surgeon; I ended down -0.5 pounds. After the 89 days was up and my paperwork (with all completed tests/appointments) sent in to Cigna, I was approved within a week. My surgery date ended up being June 16, so it was all-in a five-month process from first visit with surgeon to surgery.

Good luck with everything!

Edited August 16, 2017 by BT816

[pfisher 72]

Hi BT816,

Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience. I completed my psych eval this morning and found out that my initial visit with PCP in June starts my 90 day waiting period. My first dietician appointment is tomorrow and my cardiac clearance is scheduled for Sept 6. Then my upper GI can be scheduled. My surgery could be as early as October depending on the surgeon's schedule and final insurance approval.

I'm so excited!!!

Thanks again for your reply.