Cigna Insurance

Looks like my employer is going to switch from BC/BS FL to Cigna on 1/1/05. How WLS friendly is Cigna? I am scheduled to have lap band surgery 10/29/04 and have already self-paid. I won't have my actually policy book or policy number til later this year so calling Cigna isn't a option right now since policies can vary. Does anyone know if they approve lap band surgery? I've already posted on the lap band board, but wanted to post here too since BC/BS in other states covered lap band and will continue WLS surgery in 2005, where in Florida is doesn't.

Cigna is not very WLS friendly from what I hear and they will be discontinuing coverage next year. Of course, this is rumor and all so you should check other resources as well. Your best route is the self-pay in my opinion.

I have cigna and had to have a 6 month diet, a psy.evaluation,nutricial evaluation, also a gall bladder ultrasound... I called them Monday after Dr Jawads office faxed the nutricial evaluation on thursday and they said that i was approved.. They will not tell you yes they will cover or no they won't.. All they will say is that it must be medically necessary.. I feel that it helped that the insurance person was firm on what she knew CIgNA wanted..... You be sure that you have all your ducks in a row...My wife had BC/BS they approved her after appeal... So you can't say one will definately approve it and one doesn't...

Thanks Jerry. Dr Jawad is who will be doing my lap band.

Best of Wishes on your upcoming surgery...Dr. Jawad is the best...... Cecilia Lap RNY 7/28/04 -55 lbs

I have Cigna PPO and they would only approve the Gastric Bypass not the Lap-Band. I tried to have the Lap-band approved and a nice lady from Cigna told me that they would only consider the Roux-N-y Gastric Bypass, Lap- band is completely "unapprovable" according to her.