Question:
How long did it take for approval with Cigna PPO

I have Cigna PPO (Chattanooga, TN) and my doctor will be faxing my request for surgery to medical review within the next week. My question is how long did it take for you to get approval (or denial) from Cigna PPO, and what was your BMI? I am hoping the process goes quickly because my employer is changing insurance co. the first of the year and I hope to be post op by then. My surgeon schedules surgery dates for about a month after insurance approval so I should have time, that is if approval is not long and drawn out. Thanks!    — Marjorie F. (posted on September 20, 2002)

September 20, 2002
I am in the process of waiting for a responce from Cinga PPO (Boise, ID). I had the doctor fax it 9-13 and as of 9-20 still have no awnser. I have called every day, and good thing, the 1st time I was given the wrong fax number, then I called Cigna again got a claim number and a name to fax it to. Then yesterday when I called she still had not recived it. From this point I am not a happy camper. 9-19 I called Cigna again and got a supervisors fax number and will have it rushed to pre-auth....I informed Cigna if I do not hear from them by Tuesday I would call them back..So keep on them to do their job. As far as me I am 22 with a BMI of 40.2....On the average give them at least 3 weeks...hope this helps, good luck :)
   — Jamie L.

September 20, 2002
I also had Cigna PPO, and from the time it hit the medical review department, it took exactly 1 hour to be approved. I did stay on the phone for 4 days with them being sure they received the request from the Doctor. I was very pleased with Cigna email me and I will give you phone #'s of contacts I had at Cigna , my contacts were in Texas, I am not sure if that is where your will be, but I bet they can get you to the correct phone # and my BMI was 42.2 RNY 5/6/02 -78 pounds, Yipeeeeeeeeee size 12 from 22. you will love this journey
   — Jeri P.

September 20, 2002
I have Cigna not sure if it is PPO, I know its an HMO. But it took me 8 months. Cigna sucks!! My employer is dropping Cigna at the first of the year because they are soo difficult to work with. Good luck. Make sure all your T's are crossed and your I's are dotted!!
   — Debbie W.

September 20, 2002
Well, all I can say is good luck. I'm in the same boat as you. I work for Wal-Mart corporate and we have CIGNA HMO of Arkansas. I go see the PCP monday for the referral (I have 2 referrals for surgery from my 2 doctors of the past 11 years). I'm 22 years old with a BMI of roughly 41. I'll let you know how my situation goes if you can do the same for me. Thanks!
   — Clay T.

September 20, 2002
My husband and I have CIGNA PPO, and each of us were approved within 3 weeks for our lap RNY surgeries. CIGNA PPO also approved my panniculectomy and brachioplasty, no questions asked. We found them to be great to work with! My BMI was 47.4, and my husband's was 49. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

September 20, 2002
I had Cigna, I am here in Michigan, and they were a headache on my behalf, but once I got approved, they did pay 100% for me. The specific problem I had was my pcp sent the paperwork in, and they kept saying they didn't have it. I called them every single day too. I started a week after the paperwork was sent. But anyways, after 3 weeks, even though they said they didn't have it, i got an approval letter from them. My BMI was in the upper 40's, i can't remember, but my suggestion is once your doc sends the paperwork, call them everyday till you get an answer, bug them, sometimes they need to be reminded of just how important this is to you and how serious you are about it.
   — stacey1273