Question:
Has anyone else gotten approval through Cigna Indemnity?

I don't have the HMO or PPO type coverage. It is the plain old insurance (the 80%-20% plan)we all had years ago. I can use any doctor or hospital I like. Can anyone tell me if they have been approved for surgery with this type of coverage? My benefits manual says WLS is covered if it is medically necessary. Thanks.    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 22, 2000)

May 22, 2000
Indemnity plans (mine is Tricare Standard) are often easier to get coverage with, because they often offer broader coverage than HMOs and PPOs. Not always, of course, but very often. The real beauty of them is that you can go anywhere for surgery. I travelled from northern Virginia to New York City for my DS and it made no difference to my insurer, because as you know, there's no "network" to deal with. BTW - my policy read as your does, covered if medically necessary. Best of luck!
   — Duffy H.

May 22, 2000
i have same insurance. I too am trying to find out about it. here in calif.
   — Robin S.

May 23, 2000
I had Cigna, get them toI didn't have any problems getting approval. I received verbal authorization and had to follow up with a phone call to have them fax approval. The problem came AFTER the surgery, they said they didn't cover surgical weight loss. They paid the hospital stay (11 days). I had to throw a serious fit to pay the final cost. Finally it has been all paid off!
   — Chantal I.