Where Do I Start?

I am new to the board and am interested in finding out where to start.  A couple of years ago I called our insurance company and was told that our policy has a strict exclusion for any type of WLS.  I then tried (again) to lose weight on my own.  I am now up to 356 pounds and just getting heavier.   I am wondering what I need to do to try and get our insurance company to cover the surgery.  We have Cigna.   TIA! Therese

If it's a specific exclusion in your policy, then it won't cover it, regardless of  medical need.   Coverage is based on the policy your employer has agreed to provide for it's employees.  That doesn't mean that the insurance company as a whole (Cigna, in this case) may not cover WLS under other policies it provides for other employers who use that also use Cigna for their coverage, if they chose to include WLS as part of their covered benefits. 

Hey there- Head over to the insurance help board and research away! Call your Insurance carrier, make sure that they pull up your specific policy and then start asking questions. DIRECT questions. It may have an exclusion that covers weight losss surgery, however, I do know of at least one person whose DR was able to code it differently, so that it was coded as treatment for her health issues such as diabetis and sleep apnea. That difference in the coding is what let her get it covered. Chin up and don't be defeated quickly. Keep asking questions, appeal if you have to . A lot of times they will tell you no and deny it, but on appeal you may be able to get it covered.  Call one of the Surgeons that you might be interested in using and they should be able to direct you.  Just as a personal note- When I first called, I was told that it wasn't covered. When the DR sent me out the packet- I called and asked those questions and then it was clear to them that I was serious. Then they were honest. And you know the rest surgery is tomorrow. research the DR's and if they have a good office manager they should help you. Good luck!