Question:
any suggestions for cigna hmo in/around jacksonville,fl

i am probably switching to cigna hmo insurance since i got a new job, i started the pcp referral process with aetna hmo, but now it would be pointless...does anyone have a suggestion for any surgeons in or around jacksonville,florida that does take cigna hmo and that does the open RNY???? thank you!!    — reneagemini (posted on June 21, 2002)

June 22, 2002
Hi Renea. The ONLY surgeon in Jacksonville Fl who does gastric bypass surgery is Dr. Yasrabi. He's just off of University Hospital (his office is behind Memorial Hospital). I'm not sure what insurance he takes (know he won't deal with BC/BS but other than that, I don't know). If you happen to be military, there's a Dr. Cubano who also does bypass surgery. I live in Jacksonville but went to Ocala for surgery with Dr. Overcash. I waited 9 months for an initial consultation with Dr. Yasrebi and could not get my surgery done anytime in the time frame my insurance allowed. Dr. Overcash got me in within a few weeks. Both do open RNY (Dr. Overcash also does lap). Dr. Yasrebi's procedure is not a "standard" open RNY but I'm not exactly sure what he does different than other surgeons. I do know he automatically takes your gall bladder out whether it needs to come out or not and he requires all of his patients to have a feeding tube in for about 30 days after surgery. Best of Luck!
   — Pam S.

June 22, 2002
I have CIGNA in VA and if FL is anything like it is here, you should get letters from your PCP recommending the surgery stating it's "medically necessary" for you. If you don't have 12 weeks of physician supervised dieting in the last year, start now. I had fits with that. But I finally got approved.
   — Cathy S.

June 22, 2002
well i live in the tampa area and i know i have cigna and having the same surgery with dr. barry haicken! and they are so NICE!
   — debbie S.

July 11, 2002
There is NEW Jacksonville general surgeon doing Open WLS. His name is Dr. David Sooriash, office right by Dr. Yasrebi's office - They are making me change since I have aetna hmo - don't want to since I had initial consultation already. I'm still trying to find SOMEONE who has had surgery by him.
   — CBD