So frustrated! Confused! Cigna denied.....

hi, I was tentativly scheduled for surgery on 11/20. I have Cigna insurance that runs out the end of this year the new one specifically excludes the WLS. I have been working on doing all I can do for the WLS to go thru since June. I have done my 6 months Dr supervised weight loss plan (lost 13 lbs) have 2 co morbids and BMI was 50 when I started, is still in higher 40s. I was led to beleive by my Drs office that it should fly thru, that was why they scheduled me. time is sooo of the essence here.... Well I was denied on Tuesday. Seems there was missing paper work when they submitted it!! I had a pre op with my Doc(Choi) already scheduled for Friday- so I called the office Thursday to ask if I shoukld still go and they said yes, so I went. met with Dr Choi Friday and she was like "oh this is no big deal, I just have to talk to their Doctor and we are waiting for them to call us". Well end of day Friday came and nothing happened - the Doc at the insurance company and my Doctor are so busy I think they are having trouble meeting up on the phone. Meanwhile here I am - with a date of 11/20 for my surgery and yet no idea if I am gonna ctually get it. I just need a "yes" or a "no". I am feeling so frustrated, and so much anxiety. My docs office seems so busy! they forgot to give me all the paper work I needed so had to leave my parking space (hard to fine in danbury) and then come back and find another one- took over 20 minutes of circling around... And now today is the day I am suppose to see my PCP and I am wondering was the surgouns office suppose to give me some paper work or something to get my pre op clearance or does the PCP take care of all that???? Does anyone know? One week from now I am suppose to be in surgery. Friday I am suppose to take my son down to VA to be with my parents... I just need a clear anwer! No wonder my BP was 170/100 Friday!!! Positive thoughts, prayers would be so helpful at this point in time. Thanks, Sheila

Dearest Sheila: For a moment there, I thought I was in the twilight zone, because the exact same thing is happening to me! My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 27 (two more weeks, yikes!) and Aetna denied it due to missing info from my PCP. I've successfully completed a 3-month supervised plan and throught everything was in order. So.... I call my PCP, visit my PCP, call my PCP again to get them to supply the documentation. Finally, today, Dr. Choi's office says they think they have everything they need and expect approval today or tomorrow. Yes, the waiting and hoping is awful, but I've read so many similar stories online and all seemed to work out ok in the long run. I am a spiritual person, so after doing everything I possibly can do, I simply place the problem in God's hands and trust he will do what is best for me. Then I sit back and relax. Don't worry.... Dr. Choi won't let insurance complications stand in the way of a scheduled surgery! She has a good team looking out for us and I'm sure they will pull through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Patty

Good luck.... I'm waiting for an answer on my 3rd request.. (denied twice for not having the 6 months in a row, and lacking some blood tests @@, all things the INS company never specified) They are a PITA, and I wish all of us luck in getting this done! HUGS

thanks.... it gets better.... my PCP cancelled my pre op clearance visit for today because I did not get the blood work done- I was not given the paper work on Friday... so I had to go for the blood work today and now won't get the PCP clearance till Thursday- can we say "cutting it close"???? I am trying to just trust God on this one but can't help but wondering if this is him saying "no". Sheila

I know what you mean about the him saying "no"... I've been doing this since Nov'05 and I tell ya.. I wonder if it just isn't meant to be for me at moments.. when I see all these other people I know getting it without a problem... it is so frustrating.. I have Healthnet and they LIE so much its scary. Keep us updated.

Well 2 full business days have come and gone since I wrote that... and nothing, nada zip.... monday after noon they called and told me there was no news. Today no call at all.... how close can you get to surgery and not have an answer? I won't have to worry aobut post op hair loss- I will have torn it all out before hand!!!! i am suppose to have surgery monday- only 3 business days between now and then, and no answer.... yet they are not cancelling it or changing my date!!! Sheila