I'M APPROVED!!!!!!

I just talked to Cigna and they say that I am approved for the gastric bypass with the dates of April 6th-8th. I have not heard anything from Kim at Dr. Pirello's yet, but I hope that means that I will be having surgery on the 6th. Thanks to all of you who said a prayer. YIPPEE, WOOHOO!!!! Angie

Cingratulations I wish the best for you .. My Prayers are with you on your new journey , Good Luck And God Bless Amy

Congratulations Angie!!! Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Please keep us posted. Take Care. ~Ellen

Angie, Congratulations on your approval...just know that your surgery date could be sooner. Insurance companies have to put a dummy date on the paper!!! Sooo, you could be closer than you know!!!!

Thanks Kitti. Since you have done your pre-op, maybe you can help me out. When you go what is expected payment wise at that time? I have a 1000.00 deductible for the 80/20 plan and then a maximum of 3000.00 out of pocket for 100% coverage. I didn't know if this could be paid the day before the procedure or had to be done on the pre-op visit. Your advice on this would be appreciated. Angie

Hi Angie, I was all confused about that and really still am. Since I started everything last year, I had already meet my deductible for all my testing etc. then. My insurance even paid for my consultation. However, when the new year rolled around, my deductible is $250 with a coinsurance of $1250 before my insurance pays 100%. Kim sent me a sheet that confused me even more. It said that I had a credit of $229 but that I would owe the Dr. $239 and it would have to be paid up front before surgery. I would need to contact the hospital for that part. Donna Penninger @ NE Medical 704-783-3000 is who I dealt with. Since they consider it an elective surgery, all deductibles, coinsurance, must be paid prior to surgery. They can set you up on payments but it must be approved by administration. I paid $239.00 to Dr. P, went to do my anthestia interview and paid $500.00. I made arrangements to pay the balance today $585.00. Which I did 1st thing this morning!!!! I haven't had time to call Kim about the $239.00 credit...but at least I am paid up for the year and if anything else is required, it will be paid at 100%.... Stay in touch with me and if you want to give me a call, I'm at 704-492-3930! Kitti

They use dummy dates for insurance approval. You will be called as soon as the dr's office get's the approval. Congrats!

Angie, Congrats. I too have Cigna and was approved at the end of Jan. My surgery is April 16th. Not because of Cigna but my employer and doctor's schedule. Once the doctor's office gets the approval, you'll get a call to schedule your date. Then you'll receive another letter from Cigna with the surgery date and hospital stay dates on it. As far as the out of pocket expense, All doctor's are different. My doctor required that I pay my out of pocket portion before they would schedule my surgery. I'm lucky because my policy pays 100%. All I had to pay was for our local support website membership... remedymd.com. I'm located in High Point, NC. Again.... congrats. Lisa T

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! It appears we may be having our surgeries the same day, or very close. I was also approved for the same time frame at Chapel Hill NC. Blessings, Diane Fowler