DENIED and really Devastated, to say the least!!

Personally I have no words of wisdom in situations like this.  Only RAGE and bitterness and frustration.  Wisdom can come later.  I also have nothing helpful to say.  except I would lead a contingent to picket Cigna.

When the letter comes you can sort it all out.

So sorry for your disapointment

Hey!  I also have CIGNA insurance and was approved in 24 hours.  I had to have everything you did PLUS a 5 year weight history...could that be what's missing???

Make sure you appeal, as before mentioned.
Keep trying.
I got denied the first time too. I have anteres insurance.
Maria

Don't let the insurance company win.  My friend wore 5# ankle weights on each ankle under her slacks to push her BMI to 40 for surgery.  All is fair in the fight with the insurance company.  Lin

 LOL  Lin!!  And I practicedthe WORST POSTURE IN THE WORLD ... which meant not only rounding my shoulders down but  pushing my head FORWARD to " lose " a coupla crucial inches lol .... it WORKED too ... ohh the double layer of big SKIRTS  hid that i bent my knees a bit as well.... 

Naughty naughty ..but al is fair in love and war ... and especially INSURANCE  GRRRRRR

It ll all be worth it in the end .  

There are sites here on OH with other peoples very well written insurance appeals letters U can Use as a template to craft Ur own.   Appeal appeal appeal ... and let them know copies of Ur appeal are going to the  atty general's office too .....

I am SO SICK of insurance coverage that is a one way street - you pay but when U need us - we deny U ..... 

Do everything you can to appeal this and get your surgeon and PCP involved.  Did your PCP write you a letter of medical necessity?  Make sure they got it.  Your surgeon will know what to do to appeal.  Also, if I were you, I would try to gain 5 pounds to get your BMI to 40 for the appeal, it might make a difference.

 I truly thank each and everyone of you for your input... I got a faxed copy of the letter of denial from my surgeons office yesterday, and the EXACT words are:

After review of the clinical documentation received, medical necessity for bariatric surgery has not been established because:
--with the height and weight submitted, your calculated Body Mass Index is (38.8) is between 35 and 40, but there is no evidence of a significant ailment (co-morbidity) including but not limited to Cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, Coronary Artery disease, or Pulmonary hytertension.

And I just found out that the doctor's assistant did NOT update my papers with my new weight, I gained about 10-11 pounds while on vacation for a couple weeks, and went in and re-weighed at 204, which put me at a 40 BMI... The surgeon called me personally yesterday and told me to come back in Monday Morning, and be re-weighed, and he will re-submit my papers, and I also have an APPEAL letter written BY ME (thanks to an OH member named NAN) but have been signed by my PCP, which he will submit that too.    I am NOT GIVING UP THIS FIGHT, AS THE PHAT LADY HAVE NOT STARTED SINGING, YET.  

We pay CIGNA over $100 a week for a family of 4, for full insurance.  Never missed a payment as it is deducted from my payroll every week, and I have only used them twice for expensive medical purposes, which was when I gave birth to my 2 daughters!!!!   They even DENIED me for a Breast reduction a couple years ago, I did not appeal that, but I am APPEALING THIS, BIGTIME!! 

I noticed that you mentioned sleep apnea, but their letter did not.  Sleep apnea is what go me my surgery. Mine was right on the number to be severe sleep apnea. Unless you have mild apnea, you might want to look to see if that is on your paperwork.  I know of several here, that sleep apnea was the co-morbitility that got us the surgery.

Good luck with your apeal.

 Rachel, it sounds like you have a great appeal going with the help of your PCP.  I bet you're going to beat this thing!  Good luck with the appeal!!