Question:
Has any one had problems with cigna of Virginia?

MY insurance starts June 1 but I dont know if they cover this and if so has anyone had problems getting covered? I also dont have any documented weight programs with a doctor will this be a problem getting approved if so what should I do?    — Karen I. (posted on May 16, 2002)

May 16, 2002
Did you try looking under insurers in VA. I just looked and it seemed that the majority of people with CIGNA were approved. I wish you the best of luck on your journey! God Bless!
   — Beffy W.

May 16, 2002
I do not live in Virgina, but Alabama and have Cigna PPO I had not one problem at all, I did not have documented weight programs with a Doctor either.
   — Jeri P.

May 16, 2002
In Virginia there is a law that says that insurance companies must cover this surgery if you are 1)40 bmi or above, 2)100 lbs over ideal weight, OR 3)35 bmi with co-morbidities. That being said, your employer is NOT obligated to purchase that rider. So, find out if your employer has any exclusions for this surgery. If they don't, then Cigna has to approve you. You can go to the library and search on this to see the actual wording of the law. Good luck!!
   — cjabates

June 5, 2002
I have Cigna and live in Virginia. I just got my approval after fighting from January through May 2002. There is a law in virginia if your policy is NOT self-pay and was written in Virginia (mine was written in Texas) that they had to offer WLS just as any other procedure without special exclusions. Make sure you have 3, 12-week physician supervised diet plans documented. One of these 12-week plans must have been within the last 12 months. They will not budge on this. Then once it is all submitted, follow through, regularly with the doctor's office and with Cigna. That's the only way you'll get approved.
   — Cathy S.