Submited today to Cigna

[MKayG 0]

I to have cigna. Everything turned in 6/10. Still no word. Called today, was told nothing turned in. Called weight loss center, was told they checked on wednesday,and still no word.The waiting is hell. I planned the start on this journey so I would have all done by the 1st. of August. Now it looks like my husband and I will be recovering together.(from different surgeries) What luck!

[myheartsdesire 0]

I have Cigna. My Doctors office told me it would take two weeks for the final approval. I called Friday after 1 week and they said it was still in "Medical Verification." Whatever that means? I start my Optifast tomorrow. I hope and pray nothing goes wrong. My surgery is scheduled for the 15th of JULY!

[wsw27 0]

My paperwork was submitted on June 24 and I got approval on June 27th. I was very frustrated with NYU's admin staff because she waited to submit until the 24th. I don't think there is anyway to predict how long it will take. The fact that it is pending is good. Good luck to you.

[MKayG 0]

Just found out cigna can take up to 30 day`s to make a decision. It has been 3 agonizing weeks. They might as well take the last week to. My nerve`s are already shot from waiting . Not to mention worried.:thumbs_up:

[kfgates 0]

My paperwork has not been submitted...I am just starting out on this long journey. Cigna has been good to us in the past, but I downloaded the 35 page guide to getting approved for bariatric surgery and read thru the entire thing. I am planning on having to wait the 30 days and if it does happen sooner YEA! Did they make you do a 6 month diet?? My GP wrote to them stating that I have done several supervised diets with him over the past 3 years...I am hoping that appeases them and I don't have to do a 6 month diet...If I do then I am willing to accept this...what's another 6 months..lol. I hope you hear from them soon...no news is good news...What is your BMI? Is there any reason you think you may be denied?? My prayers are with you! Kimberly

[laurenwhite82 0]

Man....reading about all this waiting is making me nervous and I havent even submitted anything yet. I just might lose my mind!

[MKayG 0]

Hi Kimberly, I wish I would have thought to download the guide. It may have saved my nerves from becoming so rattled. Yes, I have been on the 6 mo. diet. It hasn`t been to bad. They say no carbs, but as a type 2 diabetic, I had to have a very small amount to keep my sugar level from bottoming out. Which the diet has really helped me get that under control. BMI 42. Hopefully, this and other medical problems, I`ll not be rejected. I`ve read that others with cigna have not had to wait long. Maybe this is a bad time of year. You know, vacations come up. At least I`ve not been turned down. Thanks for the prayers. I`m a firm believer in them,and Jesus Christ, the one who makes them possible. God`s speed on your new journey, and may it not be as long a wait as mine has been. I will pray for you also. MinnieMouse

[Elaines 0]

Good luck to you all using Cigna. I just found out today that under my policy I have no coverage for any weight loss treatments.

I asked if their were exceptions or appeals, and they said no because the policy we have does not cover it under any circumstances.

So it's over for me. I cannot afford it on my own, I can't get a loan and unfortunately I have no rich relatives to help me out. :thumbup:

I have to be sure that my doctor NEVER puts down as the office visit reason that it was anything weight related or my insurance will not pay.

It's not like I don't try, I have my cholesterol down to 138, my blood pressure is high but not enough to require medication so I am working on lowering it more if I can, I am pre-diabetic but so far holding my own with that. I just cannot loose any weight, I am so tired of hearing everyone tell me to exercise more, eat less and of course eat better that I am ready just to start telling them to shove it where the sun doesn't shine. They do not know me, they don't know my habits.

I don't know what to do now.

Sorry I ranted on your thread, I do hope that Cigna comes through for all of you who are waiting to hear from them and for all of you who have been approved I wish you much success!

[kfgates 0]

Elaine, I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I have heard that some businesses can pick and choose what they want to cover and if they choose NOT to have weight loss surgery covered that lowers their premium. I checked with my Cigna first before I went any further...I read thru the entire policy..I am fortunate, but they have A LOT of stipulations that I have to meet and a lot i's I need to dot...lol. I would be in the same boat as you..we certainly do not have the money for us to pay. I read about several people that go to Mexico to have it done because it is cheaper...we live in Maine and I think even if I lived closer to Mexico I would be cautious. My new favorite saying.....The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!! We diet over and over again only to be rewarded with gaining the weight back over and over again. My prayers are with you. Kimberly

[MirandaK 0]

Well it been two weeks and still nothing. I talk to the case worker today who had just talk to customer Service at Cigna and she said they was putting a rush on it and we should hear something before Monday. So just a few more days to go. :smile:

[MKayG 0]

Called cigna today, the insurance gods now have packet in medical review. hopefully will have word soon.

[MirandaK 0]

OK I am just about to lose it... These people have driving me crazy... Its has been pending since the 25th of June. Well last week LBS called to get a status on in and they said the wrong office had it and they were forwarding it to the right office and was going to rush it and we would hear something in the next 72 hours. Ok fine. But then I called on Monday and they acted like it was not being rushed and said well we hae only had it since the 9th. I said no you received it on the 25th. He said but there was a glitch and the right people have only had it for a few days. Ok . Then I call yesterday and the lady said she would be done with it by today and for me to call back today. Ok.. I call today and was told she does not know why I am calling because they only received it on the 15th. WHAT... I said no you have had it for 3 weeks and if nothing else the right person has had it since last week not 2 days ago. She says well I don't know what to tell you. You can call back tomorrow. Anyone else gone through this? Why are we being givin so many differant dates as to when they received it? When I know they got it on the 25 because I called them myself and it was there and pending.

[CMTurner 0]

When talking to anyone at the insurance, write down EVERYTHING. Get their name and if they were super helpful try getting their direct extension. Some will give it to you or at least a direct number to their department.

I have a seperate calendar that I printed off the internet to notate all my doctors appts etc and also note who, when & what on the date when I talk to anyone. It's amazing how much that helps if you end up having to talk to a supervisor or your HR rep. LOL

Hope you have great news soon. I will having my paperwork turned in at the end of next week so I am right behind you.

[laurenwhite82 0]

You are a much stronger person than I Miranda! I would be flying down to the Cigna office to personally take someone (or multiple people) out! You really should just start calling every day (maybe even 2 times a day) and annoying the hell out of them. This sounds bad, but sometimes this can be the only way to get anything done. It's sad that they put us in the position that we have to do all this for a medically necessary surgery. I will be submitting at the end of the month (more than likely) and I am disappointed already by the quality of service that Cigna (and im sure most other insurance companies) provide. We do pay their salaries. They are so quick to forget.

[freedomshaffer 0]

Girl, all I have to say is GOOD LUCK!! I had my band last October. It was supposed to be September, but Cigna SUX!. I had double coverage, my BCBS was primary, Cigna was secondary. All they would have to pay is my $3000 "stop loss" from BCBS. BCBS had to pay all the rest. BCBS approved me in 24 hours and even sent me a "good luck" letter. CIGNA denied my surgery. I was 160 lb above my ideal. I had a 46 BMI. I jumped through all the hoops, and they denied $3000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?? My husband argued it to death with them. He asked if they would ather pay for my health and joint problems that would result from my weight. They said "we will not argue what we will and will not cover". Eveyone we spoke to was rude, and according to the insurance specialist at my doctor this is not unusual. When she and I had our first meeting she discouraged me from even persuing CIGNA coverage because they were so hard to work with. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck, maybe you can get them to wake up and realize the value of this amazing surgery. I have lost 70 lb so far and am a new woman, and it was well worth the $3000 I had to pay. I hope you persue it regardless of Cigna. :thumbdown: