Band Removal - Cigna Insurance?

Beth Jenkins · February 28, 2008

Dear Members,

I had my band done in April 06, all went fine until Dec 06 when I had surgery to remove a cyst behind my thyroid in my throat. Now I have been through every test to try to resolve difficulty swallowing. Nothing can be found medically, so the doctors are saying as a result of my throat surgery it has left my nerve endings oversensitive, and when I eat with my band at 6cc's or tighter, I can't eat normal foods at all. I get sick. I want to have the band removed now, because it really does me no good if I can't tighten it to where it needs to be. My insurance (Cigna-PPO through work) did not cover putting the band in. My company does not have a rider to cover anything pertaining to WLS. I paid $17,000 out of pocket. Was just curious if anyone had Cigna in the same way, but was able to get the band removed and paid for by Cigna due to complications?

Desperately looking for some financial assistance from Insurance. I meet with my Lap Band Dr. next week to discuss and will have him contact Insurance on my behalf, but thought I would just ask here too.

Thanks,

Beth:frown:

abby1 · February 28, 2008

How are you with a smaller fill?

Beth Jenkins · February 28, 2008

Because I have suffered so long with getting sick, at this point when the band is at 5cc's or less, I eat right past it because I am so excited to be able to eat and not get sick. I almost binge at times when I can eat. I would love to have gastric bypass if my Dr. thinks I can have that and not have the same issues I am having now. Which I don't think I will. I just have to figure out how to pay for it all. Some good insurance would be nice, but I don't have it and with insurance through work I can't get a supplemental policy, so I am stuck as far as I know.

abby1 · February 28, 2008

Without judging you, you might want to talk with your doctor about dealing that part of the overeating and keep the band at the low fill.

Marimaru · February 29, 2008

I think the only way for your insurance to cover the removal is if it was an emergency surgery. In that case it would be billed as emergency surgery vs WLS... at least that is my understanding...