Just curious if anyone has cigna insurance

 Has anyone been approved for any p.s.? I am just over a year out of surgery. I am just starting to look into p.s. Any useful info or surgeons is greatly appreciated.
Nee'

I'm with Cinga and not only would they not cover VSG, they wouldn't cover any plastic surgery :(

It's really about the company that contracted with Cigna more than Cigna itself. Do you get your insurance through your employer, or a significant others' employer? Call the insurance company and ask about YOUR specific details.

My daughter and I both have BCBS from different employers, but have vastly different coverage.

 it's through husband's employer. but thanks now i know somewhere to look :o)

I am with Cigna and had to self pay on my abdominoplasty.   I had it done at the same time as a multiple hernia repair and they paid for the hernia repair but I had pay for the additional cost for the abdominoplasty.

Cigna as a rule DOES cover it if your policy included that option (It really depends on what your company has chosen to purchase) AND if you meet the medical necessity criteria (I did not).   If you determine that your policy included that option, you should ask the member services folks for a copy of their Medical Coverage Policy for Abdominoplasty and Panniculectomy.   The copy I have expired as of 2/15/2010 but here is what it says:

Abdominoplasty and panniculectomy are specifically excluded under many benefit plans. In addition,coverage for these services may be subject to the provisions of a cosmetic and/or reconstructive surgery benefit. These procedures are considered cosmetic when performed solely to improve physical appearance. Cosmetic surgery is specifically excluded under many benefit plans. Please refer to the applicable benefit plan document to determine benefit availability and the terms and conditions of coverage.

If coverage for the service is available, the following conditions of coverage.

CIGNA covers panniculectomy, with or without abdominoplasty, as medically necessary when BOTH of the following conditions are met as demonstrated on preoperative photographs:

•

Pannus hangs at or below the level of the symphysis pubis

•

Pannus causes a chronic and persistent skin condition (e.g., intertriginous dermatitis, panniculitis, cellulitis or skin ulcerations) that is refractory to at least six months of medical treatment. In addition to good hygiene practices, treatment should include topical antifungals, topical and/or systemic corticosteroids, and/or local or systemic antibiotics.

Note: If the procedure is being performed following significant weight loss, in addition to meeting the criteria noted above, there should be evidence that the individual has maintained a stable weight for at least six months. If the weight loss is the result of bariatric surgery, abdominoplasty/panniculectomy should not be performed until at least 18 months after bariatric surgery and only when weight has been stable for at least the most recent six months.

CIGNA does not cover abdominoplasty or panniculectomy when performed primarily for ANY of the following indications because it is considered not medically necessary (this list may not be allinclusive):

•

treatment of neck or back pain

•

improving appearance (i.e., cosmesis)

•

repairing abdominal wall laxity or diastasis recti

•

treating psychological symptomatology or psychosocial complaints

•

when performed in conjunction with abdominal or gynecological procedures (e.g., abdominal hernia repair, hysterectomy, obesity surgery) unless criteria for panniculectomy and abdominoplasty are met separately

CIGNA does not cover suction-assisted lipectomy when performed alone and not as part of a medically necessary and covered abdominoplasty/panniculectomy procedure.


 

I had CIGNA at one point in time; they covered my initial RNY, and then I did a dumb dumb thing. I was initally denied due to a mistake in coding the request, but then approved when resubmitted with a mistake corrected. I was only down 100 pounds at the time, but my plastic surgeon believed that I would finish losing weight in the time that it took me to battle with CIGNA (before the approval came).

My plan covered medically necessary plastic surgery, but my plastic surgeon somehow submitted for pre-authorization with a bundle of codes that indicated my plastic surgery was to primarily be a breast augmentation. That was actually the last thing I wanted to do, and I was going to do everything in stages to avoid being away from work. So eventually I was approved for a lower body lift and brachioplasty. But...I didn't want the full lower body lift. Just parts. And I didn't bother to ask the surgeon for another resubmission.

Then some idiot filed that approval paperwork away and finished her thesis instead, and is now no longer with CIGNA. Same idiot gained back 100 pounds too. Hope everything works out well for you though!

Cigna is the pits when it comes to plastics... pretty much no no no, hell no for me.
They did pay for my RNY but only have denying it 3 times and putting me through a year of hell.  I am working on a TT now but planning to play for it myself.