FloraBama Girl

Last Friday the insurance coordinator said she submitted my request to Cigna and we would hear something Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. I called Cigna on Tuesday and they told me my request was pending clinical notes from the surgeon's office. I called the insurance coordinator and told her what Cigna has said. She said she would call Cigna. When I called Cigna on Wednesday the status was still pending clinical notes. I asked what clinical notes they needed and they proceeding to tell me it is all the paperwork we have been getting together to submit to insurance.Can you imagine my frustration at this point? Couldn't get the insurance coordinator by phone or email on Wednesday. Thursday, the insurance coordinator sent me an email that the paperwork had been faxed to the case nurse. When I called Cigna on Thursday they said it takes 2 business days to decide approval and denied. I call this morning and got a great C. S rep named Patti. She had gastric bypass in 1999 and understood my anxiety. We talked for over 20 minutes. She said the approval could come any time today up to 9PM. I was just wondering if the paperwork had be submitted with the request for surgery approval last Friday would I stil be waiting today?

I will let eveyone know I get approved, that way we can gage how important what is contained in that report.

If we are 'crazy' would we be trying to improve our lifes by persuing this surgery. I think it matters more if you have a eating disorder that is not under control. There are all things that just go along with being overweight and these skinny therapists have no clue what is normal or not.

I used a therapist not in the bariatric group also and got the same kind of evaluation. I didn't recognize the person she was writing about, the only parts of the evaluation that were true was the facts she took from me. My paperwork has been submitted to insurance, so I will see if this has any bearing on getting an approval. Some of these therapists have more issues than their patients.

Hey Ya'll. I was born in Tuscaloosa, grew up in Northport. Graduated from the University of Alabama. Lived in Geneva, Montgomery and Vestavia Hills before settling in Orlando for the last 15 years. Still hoping I get insurance approval to make my surgery date of August 24. If approval doesn't come in time for Dr. Marema, maybe Dr. Koppman can do my surgery. Love all the people on this site, it is AWESOME!

Yes, it was emailed to me Thursday and the insurance coordinator submitted my paperwork to the insurance company on Friday. They let her know the decision to authorize or deny would be Tuesday or Wednesday. It is going to nail biting time until that comes through.

Yep, I got all those emotions going too. Most is anxious to get to post op. Where is your surgery taking place?

That is awsome. Stop that negative thinking and focus on the positive with your weight loss. If you were a failure you would not be trying to go down this road. Best of luck to you. Stephanie

What a great way to look at the sleeve. I am looking forward to my gift hopefully August 24. Keep up the good work?

Thanks, the support and cheerleading from all of you makes it easier to keep faith. Steph

It came back from the transcriptionist to the Psychologist today. She has to finalized it then it will be ready. Sure hope that is Thurday.

Good for you. That is the way to get things done. My insurance coordinator did call them today and got a little more information out of them. I really hope they finish it on Wedinesday.

Still no report submitted from the psychologist. I want the documentation submitted to the insurance already.

Is there still a Brookwood Hospital? My step daughter was born at that hospital. My husband was wondering if the hospital was still open. We have been in Florida for a number of years and have not been back up there in a while. My family is in Tuscaloosa so we don't get up to Birmingham much. Good luck with everything,

Good luck and best wishes on the journey to better health.

Congratulations and best wishes for your day tomorrow. Where are you having surgery? I live in Orlando.

My doctor signed the 6 months diet history sheets, the letter of medical necessity and referral to bariactric surgergy on July 08. I went to Flager Hospital Bariactric Seminar on July 14. Every requirement the surgeon's office has asked from my PCP has been quickly completed. This has made a huge difference in getting my tentative sleeve surgery date of August 24. I propably would have insurance approval by now but I was in the process of the pyschologist evaluation and that has been the delay in filling for insurance. I just wanted people to know if you have been with your doctor for a while and have been struggling with your weight it doesn't take years or a lot of months to complet this process. I have Cigna *** insurance and Dr. Robert T. Marema is my surgeon. Huge Alabama football fan and can't wait for the new season to start.

Good luck stargirl 20. Keeps us updated on you progress. We are all in this together are here for support and encouragement.

Exercise Physiologist

Hey all Florida Sleevers. My name is Stephanie (Steph) and I live in Orlando. My surgery is scheduled for August 24, 3 days after my birthday. What a great birthday present. Dr. Marema is my surgeon and US Bariatrics is were I have my classes and follow up appointments. The surgery is in St. Augustine at Flagler Hospital. We love St. Augustine and plan to have a mini vacation before surgery. Good luck to everyone and much sucess in this journey to better health.

i'm on the schedule for August 24 with Dr. Marema in beautiful St. Augustine.

HI ALL, I live in the Orlando area and want to hear from other VSGers. Would like to find a walking budding for post op (8/24/11). My surgery is with Dr. Marema in St. Augustine. He is super nice and the hospital is in a lovely area of historic Florida. Welcome all greetings, advice, comments, whatever!

They said they had transcriptionist problems this week , so I am confident it wil be done Monday, I just hate waiting over the weekend knowing the insurance has not beem submitted. Thanks for the encouragement, I love the website and all the members.

Psychologist said the report would be ready today and sent to my surgeon's office. At 2:15 today the receptionist sent me an email the report would not be ready by the end of today. This is the last piece I need before the documentation can be submitted for insurance approval. I was so hoping the insurance would have been submitted today, instead I will be worrying about it over the weekend. Just needed to vent, I'm sure everyone has been through the same thing. Best wishes to everyone on this site. Stephanie

A program I was in at Celebration FL was doing the same thing to me. I changed to US Bariatric and already have a surgery date of August 24. The surgery is at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, but all the other appointments are in Orlando where I live. I felt like a number with that other program but the people at US Bariatric make you feel special. When they should they could fast track me they were not kidding. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.