Hello CarolynB,
I just experienced sort of the same thing with CIGNA! I was going thru the process of having the lapband and once the precertification paperwork was sent in Cigna denied me based an exclusion in our policy that specifically states in order for Bariatric surgery to be covered it has to be performed at a Certified Center Of Excellence. I was frustrated and I did 3 things: worked with my HR advocate, contacted the State of Fl Insurance Compliants and filed for an appeal and I wrote a formal letter of appeal and sent it into Cigna. It took about 3 weeks to her back for the state-still denied, it took 4 weeks her from my HR advocate to find another doctor (Which led me to the gastric sleeve) and about 6 weeks to hear from Cigna via my formal appeal. TO make a long story short I have now been approved to have any 3 of the procedures at any hospital in the state of FL. MORAL OF THE STORY don't give up! Something good will happen... Can't wait for you success story