Hi Ladies, new member

I joined OH in Jan. I went to my first info meeting Jan 2nd. at CMC. I am looking into having lap band surgery, with Dr. Connie Campbell. I saw Monica the PA again today and she informed me that Cigna is now asking for 1 year of documentation for surgery. When I first started it was 6 months, I was shooting for surgery in July. I am so discouraged, but I know I can't give up. Does anyone else have Cigna? Are there any loop holes to jump thru? On another note - It's nice to know there is other people in this world who are experiencing some of the same problems that I have.

Hi Ann, First off WELCOME to the NH Board. I too had Cigna and had to be seen by my PCP for 6 months. I never missed a month. That is all they wanted from me. I kept all my receipts just in case. I think they want to discourage you from going through it all. Don't give up you will be so glad you stuck with it. I worked towards my surgery for 10 months. I could have had it in early Dec. but chose to wait until after the holidays. I am so pleased I went through it. Keep us posted and let us know when you get a date. Good Luck, Roxanne

Hello, Ann. I'm a new OH member, as well. My surgery is scheduled for May 18 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. I attended a support group last night, and heard from someone else that Cigna is now requiring 12 months of documentation before they'll pay for the procedure. I'll go you one better - my insurance company, Anthem, has basically said we don't care if you drop dead, we're not paying, PERIOD! So, I'm paying for the bypass myself - about $31,000. Well, for the price of a new car, I'll get a new life, that's how I'm looking at it. But if you ask me, insurance companies are all nothing but *&#&*%^#$*^$ thieves! LOL! Hang in there on your journey, and best of luck to you! :-)

Judith, Good Luck on your upcoming surgery !! You will be so happy in the end. Keep Positive. Roxanne

Thanks Ladies, It's nice to have encouragement from others. I want to do what it takes, it's just makes me anger that insurance companies dictate our lives. And it's not like its GREAT insurance anyway. I do not think very highly of insurance companies. But I will hang in there - because that is what they want, me to quit, and I won't. Have a nice night. Ann

Hi Ann, First I am sorry that you have this. I can so relate, because I called my Insurance company before I started this process back in May of 06. They never told me I needed a years worth of a physicans assisted diet. I went through the whole process and found out when I was to schedule my surgery that they wouldn't pay. That was 7 months later. I could have been almost done. I was furious!!! I ended up paying for it myself, but not everyone can. Keep your chin up...just don't loose too much weight. Know were you fit in the BMI scale and cheat if you have too...LOL Good luck and I am again sorry that you have to do this!!! take care, patti PS you might want to check the main message board with your question about Cigna and also call OH and ask them, they might beable to help!!

Welcome Ann !!! So sorry to hear that Cigna is being a stinker about this! In our informational meetings they did say that Cigna is one of the insurers who is the most difficult to get to cover the surgery. I was fortunate that my employer's plan thru Anthem pays 100% of my surgery and follow-ups, with no required supervised diets. Just had to meet the requirement of the surgeon's program. You may want to check with your employer's HR dept and see what is included in their coverage, as that will reveal the "surprises" Also have Cigna send you a copy of your Statement of Coverages. which should spell out all requirements. Feel free to come to this board with any questions. Any of us who are going thru (or have gone thru) the process are always willing to answer questions, or to just let you vent LOL