Question:
CIGNA rejected me please help me get all my ducks in a row to resubmit

CIGNA rejected my surgery saying it is not a covered benefit. Also the doctor is not in my local coverage area. I will have to use a doctor that does open rny. I have an appointment for consultation on June 14th. I want to have all the documentation and arguement paperwork together when I go so it can be submitted and I won't get another rejection. I have sleep apnea, highblood pressure, degenerating carlidge in my knees, and a BMI of 63. What were they thinking. I have tried to read everything on the website but I'm not sure what will really turn this thing around. Any and all help will be appreciated. And I live in Florida Thanks    — Gwen T. (posted on May 22, 2001)

May 22, 2001
CIGNA rejected me also, but the reason was that I had not been on a 12 week supervised weight loss program within the last 12 months. I have 2 more weeks to go on weight watchers and then will give the paper work to the doctor's office, so they can re-open the case. When I had my initial Doctor's visit the nurse warned me that being with an HMO, to expect the first rejection. She told me to join weight watchers, Jenny Craig, etc and then submit the proof.
   — [Anonymous]

May 22, 2001
Hi, I had surgery 4/13/01 and I have Cigna. When I went to the doctor for my consultation, I had a list of all of the medicines that I take for my co-morbities, a letter of recommendation from my primary care physician, as well as from my ortopedic surgeon. I had high blood pressure, arthritis, insomnia, and impaired glucose tolerance. I color-coded each of the medicines witha different color for each condition. I thought this may be helpful for them to be able to look at and see exactly how much they were out on me just for medicines to treat the co-morbidities. I had an approval in 3 weeks. My first consult was 3/1 and I had surgery 4/13. I wish you all of the best. Laura
   — Laura W.

June 1, 2001
I have Cigna too. Even though I haven't been approved yet, I hadn't been on any doctor-supervised diets, and the nurse who submitted my paperwork said that it might count against me that I didn't, but she said that the personal letter I wrote to Cigna detailing the horror I have to go through daily as a fat person would certainly help my case, so try that! Good luck!
   — blank first name B.