Question:
Anyone out there woth Cigna HMO in Georgia that can let me know how long it took ...

... for them to approve or deny you? My paperwork is in Medical Review and I am very impatient. Is there anything that can be done to speed up the process or if anybody knows anyone at Cigna that I can speak with directly? Any responses would be greatly appreciated!    — D. N. (posted on October 22, 2002)

October 22, 2002
I am dealing with Cigna HMO also and am also very impatient. However, I have learned that there is no way to make them rush. You can try and try, but you are only beating yourself up. I am sure you have gotten the Customer Service runaround. There is never anyone that can talk to you about your specific case. They can only give you general information. Make sure you have your ducks in a row. You must have at the least a 12 week diet attempt that is documented. Something such as Weight Watchers or perhaps a liquid diet that you are doing through your PCP. I was denied and then appealed with a 15 week WW attempt, a 10 year diet history, and a letter from my PCP. I was denied again. My PCP called Friday and is trying to help me so that I don't have to file a second appeal. I am willing to start Optifast again for 12 weeks if I have to. Just make sure you have everything documented.
   — Cindy V.

October 22, 2002
I got a referral to my surgeon in January and went to see him for the initial consultation. He told me that with my history I was a prime candidate for the surgery, but he told me Cigna was probably going to deny me if I didn't get to my PCP immediately and get a 12 week physician supervised diet program started. I went that week and we started. I went once a month had my blood pressure checked and weighed. I got the denial from Cigna in March because I didn't have proof of the 12 week diet program in the last year. Well my 12 weeks was up the first week in April, so I got all my PCP's notes and asked her to write a letter stating it was "medically necessary" for me to have the surgery and I filed a level 1 appeal. During this time my PCP had carefully crafted her notes to make sure she mentioned my co-morbidities. Cigna promised a response within 30 days. It took 45 days, but I got my approval the end of May and had my surgery 8/15/2002. Best thing I ever fought for!
   — Cathy S.

October 22, 2002
I had Cigna HMO, it took less than two weeks for me to get an approval. When I saw my surgeon for the first time I went armed and ready. I had a letter from my PCP saying why this surgery was medically necessary for me, I had letters of support from my GYN and Orthopedic doc's. I had a letter written by me saying why I wanted the surgery and why I thought I was a good risk. I had a list of all my past diet attempts. I had alreday had my psych eval and my meeting with a dietiction, something I was told Cigna would require for approval. Good Luck
   — DebbieJ

October 22, 2002
I also have Cigna HMO...My Doctor submitted the request to Cigna on a Friday and I had an approval/answer by noon the following Monday. I have had nothing but a positive experience-they processed the request super fast and they've gone extra steps to get the Doctors office to submit the paperwork (that's what took the longest for me--the Dr's office doing their part). But once the paperwork was submitted they took less then one business day to give me the OK. I was very impressed. My surgery is 11-1-02...Good luck to you!
   — K D.