ALL CIGNA SHBP MEMBERS - UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!

After not being able to get on the website AGAIN today, I called the SHBP (Christy Copeland - the Cigna employee who works out of the SHBP office) to complain.  Christy is on vacation so I spoke with Valerie. 

AS OF TODAY, the online coaching requirement has been lifted until they get the kinks worked out of the system!!!!!

Unfortunately, they have added a new requirement...6 months of attendance at a bariatric support group meeting.

That's the scoop poop for now...
TS

Hey Talksoup, I am so sorry you guys are having such a hard time right now. That is kinda how we UHC shbp member started out. It has been a mess, but we finally got through it! They did us the same way, they tried to make us start out with that counseling **** and after we complained our asses off they changed it to 6 month of support group meets too. Which works for me!! That worked out so so much better for us(I think I speak for all us uhc members). Because we all want to attend  support groups anyway just to be more educated/informed on the surgery pre and post!!

This is so frustrating! How can they keep changing things? I have less than 2 months to go on my supervised diet and 9 weeks left with the online coaching program. Now I'm going to have to do 6 months of support group meetings??? That's another 4 months for me. I'm trying so hard to not get discouraged and forget about this whole mess!

Sorry-I know I'm whining. Blame it on PMS, I guess. 

Thanks for keeping us updated Talksoup!

Oh MY FREAking God.  I can NOT believe this crap.  I just spoke with Valerie who is filling in for Christy Copeland and this is absolutely unbelieveable.  How on earth can they keep doing this?

I've gotta go pray and meditate on this one folks.

Please don't apologize for whining.  Hell I've been crying today.  I

've just made a decision though.  I am going to go ahead and submit my paperwork and if I get a denial then I will just go contact an attorney.  This is ridiculous.  This can not be legal for them to add things in the middle of the plan year like this.  Not once but two twice.  Come on be for real.

how do they verify the support group meeting attendance. I have been attending the meetings w/ Jeanie at Henry Medical, but we don't have a sign in sheet or anything? 

Is it any bariatric support meeting, or does it have to be with your surgeon?

I believe it's with any surgeon.  And I bet, if you ask, Jeannie would write you some sort of letter or something confirming your attendance?????

WHAT?
How is that an improvement? Now instead of being 9 weeks out, I am 6 months out?

That is not right that they can continue to change requirements like that.

I don't envy your position, but I am not far behind you.   I was planning on submitting to insurance in May.  If this is true, it could be August.     The website is upnow, so if you can finish the online thing will that not count anymore?


Do you think they have more people trying to get the surgery than they anticipated?  Seems like they are trying to throw up barriers to delay us.

Is this coverage self funded?  Because if it is then that would explain why they are doing these kinds of underhanded things.  That means the SHBP pays for each surgery instead of the insurance company. 

That being said.  I still think it's unfair and unethical.