Question:
Been approved for Panniculectomy having second thoughts on surgeon

Help! I fought the insurance comapny (Cigna PPO) and after an appeal got my panniculectomy approved. I am having serious second thoughts about the surgeon and have already made an appointment with another plastic surgeon. I called the insurance company and was told by a most unfriendly woman that I have to re-apply. Does that sound right? I don't know if I can go through this whole approval and appeal process all over again! I do know that my current plastic surgeon is not giving me the warm-fuzzies. Frankly I'm not comfortable with him slicing me open. Help!! Guidance, suggestions....is what the woman at the insurance company said true????????????    — Pamela P. (posted on September 24, 2002)

September 24, 2002
Pamela - Is it simply your current plastic surgeon's personality that prohibits you from feeling "warm-fuzzies?" I would evaluate him on his skills, try to talk to other patients if possible. Even better, talk to some nurses in the hospital where he works! It may be that he's a fabulous surgeon but like so many of them, he lacks in the personality department. It is very likely that the lady at the insurance company is right, you may have to reapply...all depends on your insurance. Either way, best of luck to you! (((HUGS))) - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -65lbs.
   — Anna L.

September 24, 2002
This is just my .02 but here goes. I did not feel right about the group of surgeons I went to first. I listened to my gut feelings and found another doc. It was a great move on my part. The 1st set of docs had started the approval process with Cigna(I was denied twice) and when I finally got approval, Cigna tried to give the approval to the 1st group not the surgeon I have now. All it took was a phone call from my docs staff to get the name changed. It was no problem. If you dont feel right about a doctor (or anyone) listen to what your heart says. Good luck.
   — Siddy I.

September 24, 2002
You shouldn't have to go through the whole approval process again as long as your new surgeon is using the same procedure code as your old surgeon. You would just need to call the pre-authorization area at CIGNA and tell them that you have changed doctors and give them the name and address of the new doctor. Tell them that he will be doing the same procedure as the previous doctor applied for. There shouldn't be any problems. I did the same thing and that was all I had to do.
   — Patty H.