Cigna: 1 month with dietician + 2 months with PCP = 3 months requirement?

[Yennoe 3]

Hi! I could use a little insight on Cigna. My insurance requires 3 months of a medically-supervised diet. I saw a clinical dietician on 6/16, and she worked out a diet for me. We spoke briefly about the gastric sleeve but I was in the the thinking stage. By early July, I'd decided to go for it so when I saw my PCP on 7/17, we moved forward with the insurance requirement. My PCP is at the same hospital I'll be getting the surgery, so it makes sense to continue under her supervision. Easier with records and appointments, especially. The dietician is at a hospital in the other side of town (where I see my rheumatologist). We have scheduled follow-up appointments for 8/15 and 9/15. I attended the surgery seminar on 8/6 and have my first pre-op surgical clinic appointment on 8/18. My doctors and the dietician are 100% on board!

Will Cigna allow me to use the dietician plan (that I'm still following with my PCP) as month #1? I saw my PCP the next month, almost exactly to the day I saw the dietician/got the diet plan in writing; so there's no gap in supervision. Or have I effectively restarted the supervision clock by switching from my dietician to my PCP, making my 90 days up in October rather than September? Of course I'd rather be done in September! :-)

Thanks in advance and good luck to all on the insurance approval journey!

[K*L*L 26]

I don't know if you've already gotten your answer, but I wanted to respond -

I also have Cigna, and I am under the impression that the 89+ day requirement starts from the day you see the physician, so unfortunately I don't think that dietitian visit counts. My insurance requirements say the 89+ day program must be under the management of a physician, and a dietitian is not a physician.

I hope I am wrong for your sake, but that is how I understand Cigna's requirements.

Good luck to you in your journey!

[vsgchick 117]

My 90 day period started with the first physician visit. I did 4 nutrition classes with a dietitian during that time as well (May 15-August 14). My case was submitted to Cigna on 8/18 and approved 3 days later. Good Luck with your approval!