Question:
Will Cigna approve Weight loss surgery?

I have Cigna of Texas HMO. My PCP is very supportive and is willing to undergo the fight with me, However my BMI is only a 38. I am 106 lbs overweight and have sleep apnea and Degenerastive disc disease as well as arthritis. My Doctor says it will be a hard fight. I wanted to try and then, if necessary, I will change to My husband's insurance. I have a close friend at work who was approved by Cigna PPO with no problems and her BMI was 39 with sleep apnea only. She had no proof of Doctor supervised diets and i have only a few because due to my meds for anxiety and depression, I can't take diet meds. Has any one been approved with Cigna HMO and how bad was it? Any advice?    — Laurie V. (posted on February 23, 2002)

February 23, 2002
Lauriei-I have Cigna HMO and they DID approve me. It did take almost a year and a denial for them to do it! You have to make sure that once it is submitted to insurance that the right people have it. I guess mine was sent to the wrong department and they did not try to correct the problem. After several months of no response I called the benefits department at my husbands work and was approved within the month! Good luck and hang in there! Don't worry, I have rarely heard of a case that gets approved first time out! Keep me posted!
   — Kary H.

February 23, 2002
i have a friend from this site-kristen ritter- she was approved by cigna hmo in 6 days.good luck!
   — TRULUV2329

February 23, 2002
I had Cigna HMO and it took them 3 months to approve me following one denial. They are disorganized and their procedures INSURE that you can never talk to a decision maker. It was an insane process...but now a distant memory since I'm almost 9 months post op and down 117 pounds...it's all perspective. Best wishes to you!
   — Sharon L.

February 23, 2002
I have Cigna HMO in Florida. By BMI is 46 but I have NO co-morbidities. (not even high blood pressure) I MAY have sleep apnea and I am prone to a few things because of my family history but I was approved in...24 hrs. That might be an extreme case but I was fully prepared to fight tool and nail to get this done. My surgery is this Monday. Think positive ! You'll hear negative stories from different people but sometimes I think it's the luck of the draw ! You'll be fine !!!
   — lisa K.

February 26, 2002
I am right where you are but I just got diagnosed with diabetes. My BMI is 44. I have taken Prozac for 5 years now. I didn't know I could use it as a reason that I couldn't take diet meds but I think I will ask my PCP if I can. I have an approval to see the sugeon on March 11th. Do you have a surgeon yet? I heard Texas is a good place to be to get approved for surgery if you have Cigna HMO.
   — Amy G.