Erisa xpost

I just hired a lawyer to help me get approved for this surgery. I don't understand why someone my size is getting such a run around, while people half my size are approved in days.  This has been over a year -- and I am at the point that I can't stop crying.

Anyway, before I contacted the lawyer I had emailed my state -- I finally received a letter yesterday (just days after I had the paid the lawyer) saying that my Cigna plan is a self-insured plan and falls under ERISA.  First, how could my company in a year and a half not tell met this?  Also, does this mean I don't have a chance for an Independent Review? My lawyer was pretty confident that if they didn't approve me before then, I had an excellent shot at approval with Independent review.

I have met my cap last year and this year, jumping through all their hoops...I am swimming in dr bills, now paid a lawyer -- and I still may not get approved?

I can't stop crying.

3 years here.  It would have cost them less to approve than to pay for all the pre op requirements .  Now since i have converted to type II diabetes ...both the insurane co and I will have to pay dearly.