Questions...help please!

Hi everyone. I will be switching to Cigna in January (SHBP). I have questions about the requirements. It says that I must have monthly documentation of weight, current dietary program, and physical activity. My PCP told me to follow the Weigh****chers program since I already know the program very well. So, my question is: Does this mean that I just need to keep a food/exercise journal that will be submitted with my paperwork? And does the monthly documentation just include a weight check at my doctor's office, or do I actually have to meet with the doctor?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I have Cigna SHBP also. You have to actually meet with your doctor every month. Have you gone to the Cigna website to print off the pre-requisites? I did this and gave a copy to my pcp, so she would know exactly what to document.

I was told by my surgeons office (before I had my gastric) that they needed a 5 year weight history. Not so much WEIGHT LOSS, just a history of the past 5 years. I gave them my full medical chart (I'd just moved here from Cali) and it was funny and sad at the same time. There were quite a few times where I had gone to the doc, but REFUSED to let them weigh me, so some date was missing. Luckily and sadly my doc kept writing OBESE in my chart so even though there wasn't an actual weight she had documented that I was obese and they accepted that. They also made me write a memo telling how many different ways I tried to lose weight over the past 5-10 years. What worked, what didn't, gains losses, etc...I have pretty good insurance here so the entire process was fairly smooth. WISHING YOU LUCK!!!

I just had my December doc visit today.  Yes, you HAVE to see the doctor.  He/she has to chart your current weight, type of eating (i.e. I'm doing high protein/low carb on Weigh****chers), type and quantity of exercise, etc.  Go to Cigna's website and do a search...try "weight loss surgery" or "bariatric surgery requirements" or something like that.  There is a 34 page company statement about their requirements.  You do not have to do WW, but it may be helpful to keep a food and exercise journal.

-Elli

Hello ladies, if you are going to have Cigna next year please read my blog and see what I had to go through with United Healthcare because no one had explained what the multi-displinary was which was required. I finally got approved last Monday and will be having my RNY December 15th just in time before the year ends. But if the mess I went through don't scare you I understand Cigna is going to be worse.They are my insurance for next year as well. I recommend please find out what exactly they want done so you don't go through what I did.
 
Be blessed!

Etoria

My WLS attorney told me the exact opposite.  She was thrilled when I told her I was switching from UHC to Cigna for the new year.  She said UHC was more difficult to deal with.  Earlier this year (before I found out my employer would be covering WLS under certain plans for next year), I tried fighting an exclusion...hence my use of an attorney.

I think we'll (collective "we" for all State of Ga employees) be alright with Cigna if we follow what is written in their policy statement which is easy to find on their website.  I was never able to find one on UHC's website.  If they had one, it would have defined the "multi-disiplinary" approach they wanted you to fulfill.

-Elli