I'm begging you to help me!!

I was just denied today for the surgery by cigna. I gave them all the documented prove I have plus a four page letter personally written by me explaining my diet history and how important this surgery is for my health. I can write out a appeal letter ,but it will be just about the same as the one I just sent. What do I do? The dr's office has pretty much said so sorry and closed the door. It's up to me to get the appeal. I spent too much time and money to be turned away now. I know I will die if I don't get this surgery. Please, somebody out there who is going through this or has been through this tell me what my next step is!! I'm scared.

iT may be that the people at the next level of appeal who will read your letter will be different people. Don't give up. Search the whole wls site--some of them have put their appeal letters on their profile pages. Do a little research at the library or on the internet. Don't give up. Get letters from every specialist you have ever been to. Get relatives to write testamonial letters. If you keep appealing and nothing happens, do what my friend did, get out your credit card and have it anyway. If it is an HMO I think the state dept of insurance watches to see how many appeals are denied etc. Ask your insurance for the certificate of coverage, summary plan description, special bulletins on the criteria they use for weight loss surgery. Demand all the fine print! Quote it back to them to prove why you qualify unless they flat out deny all of the weight loss surgeries. Is there a hoop you need to jump thru that you missed like getting a psychological? Or doctor supervised weight loss attempts? Read on this web site what people say about CIGNA there is a section on insurers. Good luck! I'll pray for you. (wife of member)

Don't give up!! I was denied in August and finally approved in September after my doctor called Cigna and requested a peer to peer. this is done before an appeal. normally the denial is overturned to an approval. I am 3 days post-op now. If you need any mor advice email me. Della