Jim1967

thanks and good luck to you Mike. Look forward to hearing your progress. Hope to see you active on here.

I felt like a 10 year old on Christmas morning when I got the call saying I was approved...right after that I started thinking "oh crap this is real now".

Hello all and welcome... One piece of advice I can offer is to ask your insurance companies for their bariatric policy coverage in writing. Over the phone they may dismiss you and tell you it is not covered but in reality the written policy may say something different. Don't take that initial inquiry as the end answer. I was told by Cigna it was not covered however their written documentation said they will cover it if it is medically necessary and certain criteria was met such as a 6 month minimum supervised diet and all documentation. Remember folks you're the customer and you pay for the insurance so don't hesitate to grill them for answers. Best of Luck,, Jim

Congratulations!!

thank you!!

Congratulations Johnny!! I look forward to hearing your progress. My surgery date is April 16. Pretty excited to start the next chapter. Good Luck, Jim

I felt like a kid again and it was Christmas morning when I got the call telling me I was approved and surgery was two weeks away.

Hello Ladies I am starting to formulate a list so I can start stocking up as well. I don't see my Surgeon until the 10th and the Office couldn't say whether or not he wants me on a pre-op liquid diet. They told me he would tell me then. My surgery is scheduled for the 16th so at most I would be on a pre-op liquid for 5 days or so. Are you all taking vitamins? I am wondering if I should get chewable or look for liquid. They have me taking a daily multi and Super B-Complex along with Citrical. Good Luck to you all!!

I would begin by asking for their policy on bariatric surgery coverage in writing. Some insurance companies will flat out tell you it is not covered but in print it may indicate medical necessity needs to be shown. Most insurance companies want proof of past weight loss attempts. Also, have you already been in contact with a surgeon? If so typically he/she would have someone working for them who is familiar with the inner workings of insurance companies and can be your strongest advocate.

April 16th here..

Just got word this morning Cigna finally approved!! Surgery date is April 16

Approved!! Monday I was denied and this morning I got the call stating the approval is in. 5 months worth of food journals and exercise logs finally won them over. Thanks to all of you for mojo I really needed it. It's been a long week but now I am starting off the weekend with a bang!! Surgery date is April 16

Oh yea...forgot to mention I do have sleep apnea. They know all that as well. I have gotten so used to sleeping with my CPAP that I sometimes forget why I have it. If that makes sense. We are appealing. We are providing them more documentation along with food journals and exercise activity. Thankfully the Center I am working with is a great advocate. I was impressed that my actual surgeon took the time and made the call on my behalf and didn't staff it out. They're going above and beyond in my eyes.

Wow I am really bummed.... I got a call from the Center yesterday and they told me my Surgeon spoke directly with the doctor at Cigna and got shot down stating there is no medical necessity. Seriously? I know I am very healthy considering my 455 pound frame but c'mon!! I guess I need diabetes or high blood pressure to convince them? Or better yet a heart attack? but I may not survive that. I watched my father live through that and it wasn't pleasant. Sorry for the rant and pity poor me party but I am just frustrated. I have done everything asked of me. I went to all the support classes and took a binge eaters 6 week support program. Changed my eating ways and dropped 32 pounds. I have passed all the preop testing with flying colors and was checked and probed by a 3rd party doctor who told me I have to be the healthiest overweight person he's ever met...

Center I am going through already faxed additional information to Cigna. I pointed out that I am shy by a few weeks of 6 months and the person I am working with said that is OK. We'll see what happens...

Yep that's me. Nancy is working on it and told me not to worry she deals with this all the time. It might just take a bit longer.

Thank you. They are submitting additional documentation today so hopefully that will do it.

First off one reason for the denial was because they had me listed as being under the age of 18 (I wish). I haven't been a teenager in a very long time so that part is quickly resolvable. Second part is incomplete documentation of a 6 month physician supervised weight program in the last 24 months and incomplete documentation of a 6 month physician supervised weight management program within the past 5 years without significant gaps. Now technically my 6 months is not up until April 12 but the Center was trying to get me approved now so I can have the surgery on April 16. They are going back to work with Cigna on getting what is needed and get my DOB straightened out. Hopefully they will be able to convince them. I have learned that while knowing in the back of my mind receiving a denial letter the first time around is not suprising however it still struck a nerve and yesterday was not a great day mood wise.

Thanks for the denial Cigna....I half expected it but the blow to my morale is complete.

I received a denial letter today from Cigna. Cigna requires 6 month supervised diet and my Doc office submitted early by 2.5 weeks. Cigna also said I was under 18 and they cannot approve. LOL... I haven't been a teenager in a very long time. Edit: Information was submitted on 3/15 and the denial came today so it was a quick turn around telling me to go pound sand....

Here is a pretty decent comparison chart side by side. http://www.wlshelp.com/lap-band-vs-realize-band.html I also have no idea which band at this point my surgeon is going to go with. I guess I'll find out as soon as I get a date.

Thank you and good luck to all. :-)

Laughing Cow is good stuff. I like the sour cream and onion and onion and chive.

I got the call today from Surgeon's that I have met all the necessary criteria and that they were submitting to Cigna today for approval. They are hoping it will go smoothly and look to have me scheduled for the end April. :-) Now the anticipation begins....

Has anyone tried the unjury chicken soup? Opinions? http://www.unjury.com/store/protein/reg/chicken_soup_flavored_protein.shtml