Question:
My PCP said he will send a letter of med. necc to my insurance Cigna PPO to get a

pre approval. What does that mean? And what do I do now? My consultation date is April 25th. Do I wait to hear something from my PCP or do I call the insurance company about it? Please help!! Thanks! Melissa    — blank first name B. (posted on January 3, 2003)

January 3, 2003
i have lots of experience with cigna ppo..the benifit of the ppo is you dont need anything from your PCP. your surgen with write a letter of necc. this is what they do and they are very good at it. the surgen with get your history and send you to a ton of doctors this is how they gather information.......open rny 12/18/02
   — Alexandria D.

January 3, 2003
My PCP was so very kind and generous. The day I called his office to request a letter to my insurance stating that this surgery was "medically necessary", he actually hand wrote the letter, which added a very personal touch I thought. And has done everything possible that he can to help me. I was approved on the first request with my insurance. I have Aetna and I would keep your appointment because this can be a very lengthy process. Also, I think that it does help to be very persistant with the insurance. After I knew that my papers had all been sent to the insurance including my pcp request, I allowed one week and then I started calling to see how my case was coming along with the insurance. They told me that it took 30 days for a review committee to process, so on day 30, I called to see what the answer was, and within 3 days I had the approval in writing waiting in my mail box. Good Luck and God Bless...all these things take so much time....truly tests' our patience...haha.....April-Michele
   — april-michele D.

January 3, 2003
I would do both. I also had CIGNA PPO. Before I went for my consultation, I called my insurance company to find out whether or not they would even cover this procedure. Yes, they would and I was elated. I went for my consultation on a Saturday and on Monday morning called me insurance company and gave them all the information and once again asked them if they would cover the surgery. They immediately told me yes. I was once again elated. I called BTC and told them that but they had to have it in writing. It took them about 4 weeks to get the paperwork sent to my insuranec company. I called my insurance company every week to find out the status. It took me about 3 weeks to get the written approval from CIGNA.
   — dolphins94

January 3, 2003
Hi Melissa, I had Cigna ppo too. This means that your dr is sending the insurance co a letter explaining why you need to have WLS. The insurance company will now review this letter and decide to approve you or not. I also had Cigna and I would definitely not necessarily wait to hear from your DR> I would call the insurance co every week for an update. Cigna for me first lost the letters, so I had to fax them in. THen they took 2 months. I finally called and really got upset. After that it took not even 24 hours till they called me back with my approval. It pays to follow through with Cigna... Good luck. Email if you need any advice about Cigna. ALl the best to you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 4, 2003
Thank you everyone for your answers!! I guess I am just way to impatient! I want my new life to start as soon as possible. I'll keep you all posted. Take care of yourselves, Melissa
   — blank first name B.