DENIED!

I found out today that I was DENIED for surgery. I am really upset about it. But rather than breaking down like I feel like doing, I am going to stay strong. I emailed my surgeons office to find out what can be done to get it approved. I hope to find out more information today. My insurance company would not speak to me much about it because I have a managed account or something like that. It really upsets me to know that I have a self-insured plan through my company and that this is covered in the plan with only one restriction- you have to have a BMI over 40. That's it!! So why is Cigna being so hard about it. It just doesn't make sense. I am at the point of trying to finance this and self paying rather than continue to deal with this. I wish everyone trying for surgery much success. Please say a prayer for me. I do truly believe that if this is meant to be, it will be. I really thought this was what God had in store for me. Now I feel like this was his decision and that I need to accept it. But it is difficult to accept it knowing how much I need this. I will continue to fight. Wish me luck!

Hi Misty, I'm so sorry to hear you've been denied. Please keep your chin up. You will make it through this. I'm not sure why Cigna is denying you, but I hope your doctor's will be able to help. Know I'm thinking about you and saying a prayer for you. Let me know if I can do anything to help. Take care, Beth

Awww Misty, I'm so sorry! I want to cry for you. But its important to keep your chin up, you already seem to have a good attitude about it, wanting to keep fighting. Maybe Cigna just needs a little more paperwork. Stay on Cigna. I have heard horrible things about Cigna through my PCP but I have also some really positive things through others' experiences. Did Vanderbilt submitt your paperwork for you?? If so, I've heard wonderful things about their financial people. They'll fight with you. Dealing with the insurance company will be my biggest fear out of this whole journey. I wish you only good luck! If you ever need anything, remember I'm only a hop skip and a throw away. *hugs* April

Misty, I just read your news, I am sorry but remember it's not over yet. Don't give up, Your time will come. I promise you. Just remember to do everything, find out what cigna wants. Don't forget that sometime in January it is supposed to become manatory for all insurance companies to approve of the surgery for health reasons. This does not include Medicare and Medicade. Just keep working with your surgeons and let them fight for you. May God travel with you on this journey. Kathy

Thanks for the support! I have not heard about the January thing you mentioned. What is that about? I found out that they want me to do a 6 month DR supervised diet with monthly weigh-ins. It was not needed in my health plan or a restriction. But Cigna says they need it regardless. I have been completing all of my tests over the past 7 months and if I would have known that, I would have been doing that all along during all of my testing. I now don't have 6 months on my insurance plan. My company is being sold and I will be losing my insurance in about three months. Waiting 6 months will not beneift me at all. It is not an option. I dont know what to do to get around it. I am waiting to hear back from my surgeons office but they seem to think there is no way around it either. I wish they would have told me that sooner. I was considering having an attorney that is on here (OH website) to send in for the denial if he will take my case. It may be a lost cause. I may end up having to finance it. I am not looking forward to that but I really dont have much of a choice when I need this surgery. I am just at a lost right now. Thanks agian for the support. Misty

Hi Kathy, I was just curious....what is this about mandatory approval of surgery by insurance companies? Where can I find more information regarding this?? Thanks for your help. April

I'm so sorry to hear that you were denied, don't give up keep fighting for it!!!!!!