Question:
Can someone tell me how the referral process works with Cigna HMO?

   — amw1313 (posted on April 7, 2002)

April 7, 2002
I have Cigna too, and I actually got my referral from my PCP after my consultation with my surgeon, because I had switched insurance companies before my consultation. (I switched to Cigna) I had total say in everything. Picked the surgeon I wanted and everything. All I did was call my PCP's office and they took care of it immediately over the phone. I had my approval number that very day. Cigna has been great to me, and even approved my surgery over the phone. All they required from me was the referral from my PCP. Best wishes and good luck to you!
   — Jeannette P.

April 7, 2002
I got my referall from my PCP. In my case, my dr's nurse did not call in the referall on time. When I got to my surgeon's office to meet with the nurse practitioner, they told me Cigna wouldn't authorize the visit because there was no referall called in. I actually had to call my PCP's office from my surgeon's office, talk to the nurse, have the nurse call Cigna, then talk to the office staff at my surgeon's office. Then the ins. dept. of my surgeon's office called Cigna. Once they had the referall in their system (it was within minutes), I was authorized to see the nurse. As long as the surgeon that you're interested in is covered by your plan, you should have a choice in which surgeon you chose. If there are a few that you would like to meet with, tell your PCP you would like to interview some first. If you know your PCP will give you the referall, make the appts. with the dr's office first (that is if the surgeon's office doesn't require a referall before they see schedule you), then get all the referalls called in. Good Luck!
   — Kristin R.