Cigna Insurance??

Hi folks!! I have Cigna and finished my 6 month weigh-in requirements almost 10 days ago. Does anyone else have this carrier and know how long it took for approval to come through? Now that I'm finally ready for this surgery, I just want it DONE!!! I want to get the rest of my life started!! Marie

I have Cigna and the approval can take up to 30 days. My suggestion is for you to call Cigna and ask them what the status is. You can do that weekly. I was approved after my second appeal with them. They'll pay but are very sensitive on how everything is submitted to them. Other then the 6 mo supervised diet, did you do all the other specifications that are required by Cigna? If I can be of any assistance or if you have any questions, please feel free to email me and I'd be more than happy to talk with you. Good luck and I hope you get your approval. Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine!! I figure I'll call every other day starting this coming Monday to see if they received my info or not. I know this will happen in its own time, but it's frustrating to see the office mgr has such a lack of compassion and caring. This isn't going to cost her her job, but the longer I wait the more risk to MY LIFE. I know things could always be worse, it's just that right now this makes me feel pretty crappy. This too, shall pass. I have to keep my spirits up! Marie

Marie: When you call, make sure you document each call with date, time and who you are talking too, as well as, who said what. People can never understand what you are going thru unless they have gone thru it themselves. None of us can expect someone else to understand this when they haven't walked in our shoes. But they can be respectful, compassionate and caring. It really doesn't take much effort to do those things. I wish you the best of luck in getting approved and with your journey. Please know that if I can answer any questions, I'm here to help. Hugs, Lorraine

I have Cigna as well. Did either of you have trouble with your pre-surgical appts - such as the medical director appt, nutritionist or behavior therapists? Cigna didn't cover two of the three stating "consultations with the diagnosis of morbid obesity aren't covered". I can see the frustration with this insurance company coming already . Any other advice would be great! Thanks! Kathy

What else does Cigna require? I have them and am new and just looking into this as an option. I see that both you and the lady before said that you had to do a 6 month weigh in .. what is that? Any input on this insurance company and how they work would be great! I am so lost and don't know if i will even get approved for this. Thanks Gina

Hi Gina, They require six consecutive monthly appts. including a weigh-in, either with the nutritionist for the bariatric program, or your PCP or one of the rquired program specialists. As long as a weight is taken it counts. They require one group meeting, but they're so beneficial I'll be going pre and post op! They require an MMPI for a mental health behavioral eval that is an out of pocket expense. I think I paid $160 and the results are sent to your surgeon's office. I called Cigna today and so far, my file hasn't been faxed YET which is making me damn cranky. I'm stressed out wicked over this plus my daughter's wedding in four weeks and am afraid the prolonged stress and weight gains will bring on either another heart attack or a stroke. Neither of which are on MY wish list. Marie

I am sorry to hear that your process is going so slowly.  I worry about the same thing happening to me and I worry that I will get denyed and then have been running around for nothing.  But I guess everyone's individual case is different and if you get someone good to help you through all the paperwork then your golden other wise you get what you get.   I hope you get an answer soon and your daughter's wedding is wonderful! Take care Gina