CIGNA approval

i finally did it.  I got my approval today and my surgery is scheduled for Oct. the 17th.  Once they got all of their required items cigna called the next day with my answer and it was the answer I've been waiting a year for.

Oh, you give me such hope!

YAY for you!

Tangerine,  Congrats!!!Way to keep at 'em.  I have Cigna also and was just denied last week.  I'm going to keep on a chugging on and hopefully I will get an approval also!  The 17th is right around the corner!  Good luck and I'll be thinking of you!

Did they say why they denied you?

Hi Tangerine,
They denied me for 3 things....

1)Not enough documentation saying that I needed to have surgery.  (apparently that means that  I need a letter from my primary care physician saying that he recommends it.)

2)My surgeon is not in "Cigna's" Circle of excellence. Though they are a circle of excellence provider. (The Dr.'s office has applied and it takes around 2 wks.) that's probably 2 wks Cigna time....not 2 wks my time!

3) My BMI is NOT over 50.  (I am trying to get them to approve the DS)  The Dr.'s office says that they have a different code that they may be able to use.  I hope it works!

It's just a waiting game now.  My goal is to have the surgery this year seeing's we have met our deductables, but knowing insurance they will drag their feet till Jan. 1.

Does Cigna exclude certain procedures? I'm trying to decide between the VSG and the RNY but I think I remember being told that they won't pay for the VSG.

Hey KiKi,

Click on the CIGNA link in my signature for the CIGNA Coverage Position for Bariatirc Surgery. They do not cover the VSG. Also make sure you check you individual policy for any exclutions.

Good Luck.

Thank you! That must have been where I read it to begin with.

I guess my decision is made then.

They now cover the DS along with the RNY. Spend some time on both forums along with the revision board before you finalize your decision.

My surgeon won't do a DS for a lightweight, which kind of blows. I'm considering finding another surgeon, but since I haven't made up my mind yet, I'm just working through all the angles.

Thanks again for your reply!