Question:
is cigna hmo hard to get approved and if they do how long does it take

   — bopper (posted on July 6, 2004)

July 5, 2004
Cigna's biggest obstacle is the 2 26-week physician supervised diet attempts, one of which must be in the past 12 months. They will not budge one inch on this. When I got approaval it was 3 12-week physician supervised diet attempts. They changed this requirement in 2003. If you do not have documentation to that effect, get started now. Make sure you document everything with them and keep calling once your paperwork has been submitted. Cigna is difficult, but not impossible to get approval with. Best Wishes.
   — Cathy S.

July 6, 2004
Hi Janice, I have Cigna HMO in California, and my approval came in about one week after my endocrinologist sent it in. I think some of the delays that other people experience are not necessarily with Cigna (or any other insurance company) but rather with the medical administrative group you are in. Mine is ADOC (Affiliated Doctor's of Orange County) and I have never had one problem getting any authorizations with them. Good luck to you in your quest, and hope that you are able to get the surgery soon, with only good health and happiness to follow it.
   — DorrieB

July 7, 2004
In December, I asked my PCP to refer me using the 9 months I spent at American Weightloss Center for approval. He didn't think Cigna would approve with that, so he sent me to a nutritionist for several months, THEN referred me. I was denied, of course, appealed then denied again. Finally I took my case to the IMR (Independant Medical Review Board) and they sent a letter to CIGNA. CIGNA wanted 6 months of documentation. I thought my AWC info. had been sent to them but they said they never received it. The denial was finally overturned and my surgery is scheduled for July 22nd! I've read that many times insurance companies routinely deny the first round, hoping you'll go away. It sure seems like that's the case to me!
   — Roberta M.