APPROVED!

CIGNA finally gave in and approved my surgery. (It took a year and a half!) I go to El Paso to see Dr. Castro on Wed. for a class on the surgery and the diet post-op. I have been really surprised how fast this is moving now that it is approved. I look to have surgery the first week in March. Will keep you informed. Kathy in Alamogordo

Wahoo! That's so exciting! Keep us updated!

Congrats Kathy... I am starting the process with the same Dr. Can you tell me why it took so long? I have Cigna but they dont cover this on my insurance. Tricare does for me. But I am not over 40 BMI, but have other complications which may qualify me.

Hi Dorise, I began the process with getting approved for OUT-OF-NETWORK services with CIGNA more than a year ago. I first got approval for the consult and then battled about a year and a half for the surgery. The 6 month documented diet was the kicker. We documented that and then they wanted the psychological completed prior to approval. So we completed that. We ended up including my exercise history from Curves as well. Watch what the insurance company sends to the appeals unit. This last time prior to approval the insurance company left off 22 pages of the appeal. Susie at Dr. Castro's office faxed themn the missing pages and the denial was reversed. Work with Susie. She is teriffic! Dr. Castro is a good surgeon. During my hospital stay, I never had to use the morphine button. Try to get the Lap RNY. Am not having problems. I'm at the point where I'm beginning to eat soft foods and add in others. If all surgeries are like this one I would recommend it to anyone. Let me know if I can help in any way Kathy in Alamogordo