CIGNA

Discuss CIGNA here.  Who has it and what do they cover?

I have Cigna and so far i have been denied. i recieved a letter stating that it wasnt medically nec. and that i didnt have a 6 month sup diet within a 12 month time period.  I was in a study called the shape study. had a gastric stimulator impant that shocked your stomach to make u think u were full for a year and 2 months.  but it has been 1 year and 7 months after. on the same paper that denied me at the bottem said a sup diet within the past 2 years. so why was i denied and told within the past 12 months. ughhh.. my doctor called to do a peer to peer so hopefully i will hear something next week.

i have cigna, and i have submitted my packet for approval. i'm just waiting to hear back from them. they do require the 6mo diet (which i did). i did everything that was on their little check list, so i better not be denied. i have cigna epo

I used to work for Cigna and let me tell you they are not one of the easiest to get approval through!Good luck!

I have Cigna HMO.  According to my surgeon's staff they (Cigna) require a 6 month Dr supv diet and weigh in.  I went to see my surgeon in Jana 2006.  I put off doing the 6 month Dr supv thing until April.  I have just finished my 6 months and I have my nutrution and pysch evaluation tomorrow.  My last thing on my list is getting a cardiac clearance which I have scheduled for Oct 28th (the earliest I could get in).  I'm praying my surgeon's office will file my pre-approval ASAP,  so that if I have to appeal I have time.  I would really like to get my surgery done before the end of this year!!!!!!!! I'm sure hoping they will approve me. I'm on medication for high BP, diabetes and  high cholestrol.  Heart problems run in my family and I also have sleep apnea .  What more could they possibly want??? Thanks, Teresa K Texas 

I have Cigna HMO as well. I just finished my 6 months doctor diet, and it helped none :( I will be submitting my claim hopefully today or Monday. I have a BMI of 59, however I do not have any other issues but weight. I hope that does not count against me. I have already done the pshych and Dietician. Have to also have the upperGI and Ultrasounds. I have had all the other studies done prior, so I think I am all set (I hope).  I am also hoping to get my approval back quickly and wanting to have the surgery in December. I hope all goes smoothly. I have met the requirements stated by Cigna...we will see. Good luck to everyone else. I will update as I find out more.

Your BMI is high enough that co-morbs shouldnt even be a factor.  Just make sure they submit a detailed report and records regarding the diet and you should be ok.  That said, they may try to push you away by denying you so don't let up.

I have Cigna PPO .  I had a gallbladder scan, cardiac clearance, Pysch. evaluation  Patient Education and then found I need A 6 mth doctor supervised diet with monthly weigh ins and  checkups and behavior modification. and exercise plan.  I am keeping a food and exercise journal and am going to have my Dr. copy it Each month.  I'm going to call Cigna to see exactly  what they mean by behavior modification.  I'm supposed to see the dietician but see is out on maternity leave til December.

I have Cigna PPO. My BMI was 42.9 and I had two co-morbs. Paperwork was submitted 8/10/06 and I had approved VSG surgery on 8/28. They "lost" the paperwork twice, but once I personally fedexed and then called stating who signed for the package, it was approved.

It happened!!1 I have Cigna HMO through Disney (as stated above) and I think I had a one in a million experience with them...I sent the paperwork to the surgeon and they sent it to Cigna at 4pm on Tuesday 10/17. I got a call this morning (10/18) that I was approved! I could not believe it, I hit a record!! It was about 16 hours for approval. I was hoping for fast, but oh my goodness :) I did have the requirements (BMI and 6 months doctor presc. diet), but I still was just hoping to get a yes at all. I am not sure if it is because it is through my company or not, but either way it is still Cigna in the end.  Good luck to everyone else...it is possible.