Question:
How hard is it to get Cigna POS approval?

I'm really ready to have weight-loss surgery, but I'm terrified of getting my hopes up. I have Cigna POS and there's not too many mentions of it in the insurance database as far as approvals/disapprovals go. If anyone who has been approved in the past six months or so (and what criteria they required) could mail me at [email protected], I would greatly appreciate it and it would let me know whether or not to get my hopes up too much. Thanks.    — Susan N. (posted on December 18, 2002)

December 18, 2002
I had to have at least 3 co-morbibs(Hypertension,arthritis, sleep apnea) Since I was on the lightweight side and had a 38.0 BMI, and I also had to have been on a doctor assisted weightloss program for at least a year.All in all Cigna POS approved my WLS in 2 days.I had surgery on 4/1/02 and I have lost 95 lbs so far from 240 lbs to 145 lbs today. I am 5 lbs from the century club....I had TT/BL on 11/22/02 and Cigna approved that within 4 days.They have been GREAT to me..As long as your Doctor says MEDICALLY NECCESSARY Cigna POS usually will agree.. Read my profile for more info if needed..
   — Maria L.

December 18, 2002
This is my insurance company and I'm in the process of trying to get approved. Feel free to email me in a few weeks and I'll let you know how it turns out.
   — Kimberly S.

December 18, 2002
I have Cigna POS through BP/Amoco. I had some minor issues to go through with them but really it was nothing and I was approved. One of my problems was not enough physician documented weight loss programs. I gave them an affidavit saying I was married for 20 years to someone who worked on and off and we didn't have health insurance but I tried all the freebie plans I could and piggy-backed friends who were paying for Weight Watchers, etc. and did those programs for free. They approved me after 1 week of haggling. There was never any "real" denial, just asking for more information. Good luck!
   — Nell C.

December 20, 2002
I have CIGNA HMO. My Surgeon knew exactly what they required. Once you are referred to a surgeon, they should be able to determine exactly what you need. In my case, I needed 6 months medically supervised diets in the last two years and a chart with weights and dates over the last five years. I had a breast reduc thru CIGNA two years ago and it took three appeals, so I figured I would be in for a fight. I was approved in one hour! I am scheduled for surgery 1-29-03. My PCP said that of all the people he has referred for the surgery, everyone 300 lbs and over were approved and under 300 lbs were not. Good luck and go for it!
   — V. Gwen S.

December 27, 2002
I have Cigna Hmo and was approved in one hour!
   — missysworld

December 27, 2002
I have Cigna Hmo and was approved in one hour! My BMI is 44, I went for a sleep study for Sleep Apnea and could not sleep...only 1 1/2 hours of dosing, so they could not diagnose. I wrote Cigna a detailed letter with my co-moribities, heartburn, arthritis in my feet and knees which require injections of anesthetic and steriods to releave pain. Urinary incontinance when coughing, laughing or sneezing. Shortness of breath. Getting up several times each night to go to the bathroom due to my weight pressing on my bladder and how if effected my job in law enforcement and how I had to leave because of my weight. Cigna received the packet from the Dr. on te 19th of this month (Dec 2002) and the nurse reviewer was on vacation. I called on Monday and it was still pending. I called the day after Christmas and it show still pending and they could not tell me anything more, they said my Dr. would have to call. Well their office is closed for 2 weeks so I called back and when it asked if I was calling from a Dr. I office I entered that prompt. They asked for the patient #ID (my SSN#) and never asked who I was, they then checked on the status and told me that the nurse reviewer just returned from Vacaction this morning and that she has it on her desk and would review it today. 1 hour later I called and I was APPROVED! My Dr. office told me it would take 4-6 weeks. Cigna told me they have reveiws done in 24-48 hours! So be sure to write a detailed letter, with all your diet attempts and how you NEED this surgery to live along with any comlications you may be having. Also let them know that you will continue to fight for your life and the fight will not stop with this letter. Sometimes they deny you and will approve after appeal to weed out those that are not really dedicated. I can send you a copy of mine if you would like, I received two letters from other people on this site and that is how I was able to write mine. My email is [email protected] Also, call Cigna and bug them, I called every day, this will show how important it is to you and will keep them moving. Dont wait for the Dr. to tell you that you have been approved or denied. You can get that info before they do. I called the 1-800 # and used the prompt for referrals and my authorization was in the automated system. I then spoke to a live person to confirm it...just to be sure. Best of luck to you!
   — missysworld