Question:
Has anyone appealed to Cigna and was approved?

Cigna PPO denied me. The letter actaully said that it was medically necessary for me... but that I didn't have a letter from an internist, psychologist, and that there was no follow up care... I never really went to Dr's for things, cuz I knew they would tell me to lose weight.. so I really don't have a PCP that has records,...can I possibly appeal and win?? I am at a loss... Thanks for any input! You all are a godsend!!    — Donna S. (posted on August 3, 2002)

August 3, 2002
I have Cigna in VA. I was denied and did a level 1 appeal and did win. However, you MUST have documentation for anything and everything you state in your application. My denial was on the basis that I did not have 12 weeks of physician supervised diet in the past 12 months. I had found this out right after my paperwork was originally submitted, so I went to my PCP and told her what was needed and we carefully crafted her notes to document ALL my co-morbidities over the next 12 weeks. Then we re-submitted and I was approved. Good luck to you. Cigna is a hard nut to crack, but if you have all your ducks in a row and get documentation for everything, they cannot help but approve you.
   — Cathy S.

August 3, 2002
hi, I have Cigna too (HMO though). I got denied because they said I didn't have enough from doctors either. I had been in college for 7 years and didn't have insurance. I sent all I could from approximately 10 years back. The nurse from Cigna said it wasn't enough. I wrote a 3 page letter basically giving them an example of what my life was like. I was approved. I was surprised after hearing the nurse saying that a letter wasn't going to do anything. Good luck!
   — Paulette M.

August 3, 2002
I'm the third person at my job to get approval. The first one was denied, the second one given the run around & I had no problem. Luckily the surgeon I chose has dealt with ins. companies for a long time. The only doctor to submit ANY info for me was the surgeon I chose & she just sent in the info I gave her. No PCP, psych, dietician required to gain approval & I do have CIGNA PPO. They sent all my diet attempts, although the surgeon was not the one to supervise them. They just took my word for it. I have borderline hypertension. My back & legs hurt if I stand for long periods of time. You can add other co-morbidities such as GERD(indigestion), stress incontinence(who'll ever know one way or the other) & any other problems you might have. I think the key is to have somoeone to submit the info who knows what they are doing. You should post more info to your page so locals can help you out with more info. Good luck! Once my papers were in the right hands, NO PROBLEMO!! Any more questions, just email me!!
   — Belinda W.

August 3, 2002
I HAVE CIGNA HMO CALIFORNIA, THE MEDICAL GROUP ACTUALLY MAKES THE FIRST APPROVAL HAPPEN THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AUTHORIZING THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU. YOU SHOULD HAVE A CASE WORKER THROUGH YOUR MEDICAL GROUP THAT CAN HELP YOU WALK YOU THROUGH APPROVAL STEPS. YOUR PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE GET THE LETTER FROM PCP WHICH YOU HAVE DONE GET ALL YOUR PAST MEDICAL RECORDS WITH YOUR COMORBIDIES STATED ON THERE.YOUR GOING TO NEED CURRENT PHYSICAL EXAM AND BLOOD WORK. IF I WHERE YOU I WOULD GET THE PHYCH EXAM DONE SO YOU CAN GET A LETTER FROM THAT AND THE DEITCIAN DONE AND GET A LETTER DONE. ALSO YOUR MISSING THINGS LIKE SENDING IN YOUR DIET HISTORY, 2 WEEK FOOD LOG, PERSONAL HISTORY, FAMILY ILLNESS HISTORY. DOES HEART DISEASE RUN IN YOUR FAMILY, DO HAVE A HIISTORY OF DIABETES AND HIGH CHOLESTRAL. YOUR MISSING ALL KINDS OF STEPS. I KNOW IT EASY TO COME TO THIS WEB SITE AND SEE PEOPLE HAVE INSTANT APPROVAL AND ASSUME THAT IT GOING TO HAPPEN THAT WAY BUT UNFORTANLY EVERY BODYS MEDICAL PLAN IS SET UP DIFFERENTLY IN EVERY AREA IT ALL BASED ON WHAT MEDICAL GROUP SAYS. THERE THE ONE THAT SET UP THE RULES AND CIGNA IS BASICALLY WHERE THE FUNDING AND INFO COMES FROM.
   — sheri B.

August 5, 2002
I have Cigna and had to go through my 1st appeal process and just got approved Friday. I sent everything from my PCP and even GYN. I did get help from this website in composing my personal letter and even added some pictures with it with me in the door way and behind the steering wheel. You can find so much help with doing your own personal letter. I do think this is a key part in getting the insurance approval. I hope things work out for you!!! You are welcome to email me and I will give you a copy of my letter.
   — Nicole H.