Question:
OMG...CIGNA APPROVED FIRST APPEAL! WHAT TO DO KNOW?

I AM SO VERY, VERY EXCITED RIGHT NOW, AFTER 8 MONTHS OF UPS AND DOWNS I FINALLY GOT MY APPROVAL TODAY. NOW SHOULD I JUST CALL THE SURGEON FOR THEM TO SCHEDULE A DATE OR DO I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ANOTHER VISIT>??? WHAT HAPPENS AND HOW LONG DO YOU THINK UNTIL I CAN HAVE THE SURGERY? THX FOR EVERYTHING!    — Karen W. (posted on November 13, 2002)

November 12, 2002
I would give your surgeon's office a couple of days to see if they call you with the date. If it's like my surgeon's office, they usually get a bunch of approvals in at a time and it takes awhile to schedule them all in amongst the other work that they have to do. If you don't hear anything by Monday, then call them. After the date is scheduled, you will probably be told what tests you will need to have pre-op (e.g. abdominal ultrasound, medical or cardiac clearance, upper GI, pulmonary function test) as well as the normal pre-op tests like blood tests (including arterial blood gases), chest x-ray, etc. Typically, the blood tests and x-rays have to be done no earlier than 3 weeks before your surgery for them to be valid. It took me about 5 weeks between the insurance approval and the time of my surgery. It may be shorter (hopefully not, you have a lot to do) or longer in your case...JR
   — John Rushton

November 12, 2002
I was so excited when I won my appeal with CIGNA that I called my surgeon's office that day. They verified it and within 2 hours I had a surgery date and dates or all the required courses, physicals and lab work. It took me from January 2002 to May 2002 to get mine through. Cigna is a hard nut to crack, but it can be done!
   — Cathy S.

November 13, 2002
CONGRATULATIONS!!! i know how you feel, I fought for 8 months with Cigna. Call your doc and get an appt. right away! I am soooo happy for you! Good luck!
   — Debbie W.