Question:
Does Cigna require you to have had Doctor supervised diets?

I'm just going to go to my first meeting about getting the surgery. Very excited, but I've never done a Doctor Supervised diet. Will Cigna approve you with out having done one? I live in Minnesota    — Trish S. (posted on September 29, 2004)

September 29, 2004
According to their website the answer is yes it. http://www.cigna.com/health/provider/medical/procedural/coverage_positions/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf I am also starting the procedure too. I am going to OSHU for the initial consultation. I am sure they will know the official answers.
   — Jerry S.

September 29, 2004
When I had my WLS in 8/2002, Cigna required 3 12-week physician supervised diets, one of which had to be in the last year. As of November 2003, I've been told they required 2 6-month physician supervised diets, one of which had to be in the past year. They are a real stickler on this point, so get it documented or get it done. They probably won't approve you without it.
   — Cathy S.

September 29, 2004
Yes Cigna does require. I did not have an "official" supervised diet, but I have been seeing my PCP monthly for almost a year, and there were weights and notes in my charts about nutrition and dieting as well as what I was doing to loose weight at any given time (gym, fad diet etc..). He also stated what effects (physical and emotional) the weight was having, and that I was in counseling for depression which is primarily weight related! I got lucky and had a good doc who documented everything well, even though visits were to monitor one of the meds I no longer have to take!! Good Luck, Carmen
   — Carmen S.

September 29, 2004
I had a different experience with CIGNA. I went to a consult with the surgeon, he wrote a letter of medical necessity. I faxed it to CIGNA and was approved one day later. No medical supervised diet, psych consult or anything. I guess it is just luck or who gets your case file.
   — [Deactivated Member]