Question:
INS PROBLEMS WITH CIGNA HMO HELP

Surgeons Office Filed For approval 11 weeks ago. They Failed to let anyone know when they needed updated Referral and now they stat they need more infor but they never let anyone know. Who is supposed to let who know what. How can i get this mess cleared up and get approved without all this hassel. It's been 6 months now working on this surgery. Please help    — PAMELA T. (posted on July 11, 2001)

July 11, 2001
I have Cigna, although it is not an HBO type. They approved me in less than 2 weeks but both Cleveland Clinic, where I had the WLS done, and I, kept calling them and as soon as they needed more info Cleveland forwarded it to them. I think you need to take charge and call them every couple of days to find out the status. No insurance co. wants to pay out that kind of money and so they drag their heels as much as possible. Just keep after them and good luck!
   — Carole R.

July 11, 2001
Pamela, I just want to wish you the best of luck dealing with that company. They should be ashamed of the way they treat people, to them we are just numbers, not real living breathing (and sometimes thanks to them non breathing) people with medical problems. If you could not tell I was not a happy camper with Cigna. After being told by them for months that I was covered, after them sending my surgeon the pre-certification and approval letter for surgery those wonderful people at Cigna turn around 3 weeks before my surgery and say it is out of network so there is NO coverage. They had known I was going out of network the entire time (6 months) and never said it was a problem. Fortunately for me my wife had just become eligible for health insurance through Medical Mutual and I faxed everything to them on a Thursday and had my approval that Friday. I would go to Cignas website and pull up who is in charge of the company and call and start raising a little hell. Good luck with them!!!!!!!
   — Barry R.

August 4, 2001
I also have Cigna. They also needed additional information from my doctors. I call, call, call and call some more... Call Cigna, that is. Finally, one of the reps at Cigna called mt surgeon's office directly and was able to work out some of the mess. With Cigna, you have to be persistant sometimes. My surgeon's office said they are notorious for waiting until the last minute. If also helps if your surgeon schedules a tenitive surgery date for you. That way, when you call Cigna you can use that date a leverage to tell them that you're running out of time. Best of luck to you!!
   — FireJewel