Cigna 6 month diet

Hi, I just wanted to let anyone know that has Cigna, they are being more strict on their guidelines. My doctor expected a surgery date for July but because I had not done a six month diet previously, I have to wait now until January or February. I have to go and weigh in once a month and see my doctor every two months. I just thought it would help for anyone that is just starting the process. To be on the safe side, start a diet program with your doctor while begin the WLS process. As for me, I can't wait to be able to post about a surgery date. I guess after waiting this long, another 6 months shouldn't be too horrible. Good luck everyone! Samantha.

Hi Samantha! Thanks for sharing that information. I have been researching WLS for over two years now. I wish I had known this information back the first time I met Dr. Cobean's team in May of 2001. At that time when I inquired of CIGNA, they told me that they covered WLS if it was "medically neccesary." I had a BMI of 49, hypertension, GERD, dysfunctuional uterine bleeding, 3 types of sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. My PCP contacted CIGNA and requested that they approve a visit with Dr. Cobean to discuss WLS, and they approved. It took me over a year to get in to see him. Dr. Cobean told me all of my ailments would be resolved with RNY! At the time we initially inquired about WLS, CIGNA never stated the Dr. supervised diet with monthly weigh-in requirements. For over one year, I have been meeting quarterly (with documented weigh-in's) with a Diabetes Educator and following her recommended diet. I have had slow, steady weight loss, but my BMI is still way high at 47. I am praying that CIGNA accepts the documentation I have from my PCP and Diabetes Educator. It hardly seems fair that they keep changing their requirements in the middle of this process. Dr. Cobean has submitted my packet to CIGNA. He gave me a surgery date of July 14th. All I can do now is pray. I am scared to death they will deny me and I will have to wait another year. I phoned CIGNA two weeks after Dr. Cobean had submitted my paper work, but CIGNA refused to give me any information, they would not even confirm that they had received the paperwork. They told me that information could only be given to a doctor. I will post and let you know what happens when I hear something. I would like to know if there is anyone out there that has been approved by CIGNA in the last month, without a Dr.'s documented monthly supervised diet with weigh-in's. God bless you all, this is a long hard journey, but one that is well worth it in the end. Again, Samantha, thanks for getting this information out there to people just starting out! You are certainly making their journey a little bit easier. Best of luck to you! Jo PS - I love your positive attitude! Hope it rubs off on me a little - I am so discouraged since I heard of CIGNA's latest trick...