Question:
does cigna deny you if you haven't been on a medically supervised diet?

I am 110 lbs overweight. my bmi is 44.7. I have several co-morbities. I have been on many diets I have materials and receipts from weight watchers, jenny craig and been to a dietitian. I went to a medically supervised diet but could not afford the 400 per month it cost for shakes and weekly fee. I don't know how shakes 5x a day can help you learn to eat better, it seemed to be a quick fix and then you gain it back, because who can live on liquid? will cigna deny me because of not having a diet on my medical records like this? I am worried about this any advise would be appreciated thanks    — taterbug898 (posted on February 25, 2004)

February 25, 2004
I had Cigna healthcare and had to do a little "dance" to get approved. Does your primary c. p. know of your different diet attempts? Would she have note of them and the weight losses and regains? If so, and she will put it in her recommendation letter that will help. My doc took so long to do my letter I ended up typing it up myself and taking it physically to her office to get her signature and have it copied onto her letterhead! You just do what you have to do. My first denial from Cigna was because I didn't get a psych consult, which I was originally told wasn't necessary. After I got that and appealed I was approved. Hope some of this helps.
   — workinprog

February 25, 2004
JUST MY OPINION ..but 6 months of shakes sounds like the doctors office trying to make money off you...I went to a dietician, got a good sensible eating plan and was weighed once a month and it passed just fine. I lost weight 36 pounds and also learned how to eat much healthier which has helped me tremendously post op. Best of luck to you. Shakes???? EWWWWWW....
   — Kathy S.

February 25, 2004
Depends on what your plan with Cigna is. My DH had Cigna POS and was denied without the medically supervised diet even though he was determined to be medically necessary for the surgery and had a bmi well over 55. Good Luck.
   — ChristineB

February 26, 2004
I had Cigna HMO, and I have to say that denied to even LOOK at my paperwork until I had a diet history. Same with my aunt. Then, when my aunt sent hers in, they ended up denying her because they didn't think it was enough adequate info. Go figure. Insurance companies like to watch you do as many tricks as possible.
   — mars.renee

February 26, 2004
I live in NC, and had CIGNA PPO as my secondary provider. The case manager told me that although CIGNA is a nationwide company, policy benefits vary from state-to-state and from employer-to-employer. My CIGNA PPO approved me immediately, and with no-questions-asked, for both my lap RNY and my tummy tuck/brachioplasty. Good luck to you!
   — Diana T.

February 27, 2004
In General and unless you get really lucky, cigna is a stickler with the diet requirement especially the hmo plans.
   — jennifer A.