ajeeprider

This website has been very helpful in getting me to this point.....just wanted to thank all posters who have been willing to be open and share.....THANK-YOU!

IN 5 days! I called the customer service line to check my authorization today....and it said I was Approved and my approval number! Usually I would get a live person to explain where things were. My surgery is on Wednesday the 24th...so to all you Cigna insurers....follow their criteria exactly as outlined for approval. I used my PCP to do my nutritional 3 months of supervised dieting. Coached her on how to do 3 separate clinic notes and the buzz words she needed to mention so that they were highlighted in my clinical picture. My BMI was 38-39. With a long documented history of OA of both knees and severe sleep apnea( diagnosed during my assessment and complaints of loud snoring getting worse as reported by my husband)which showed up with my increased weight. So her recommendation rather clearance letter for the surgery was only one paragraph the said I was a good candidate, had failed multi attempts to maintain any weight loss and that my weight has increased pressure on my knees and further caused my severe apnea. Of course my bariatric surgeon did a good job too...I just did not see his note. So....next week this time I will have joined the ranks of sleepers.. This website I have scoured over many threads and have found it to be quite helpful. Since December I have been lurking and learning..so I am encouraging all my Cigna insurers keep the faith, but document well and follow requirements to the letter. Good luck and hope you will have a great outcome....keep the faith!

Catiebug....sending up prayers, keep us posted.

Hi there I am from Durham....so another NC'r. Surgery is on April 24th at UNC....excited and scared! But can't wait to get this done! It's been a long time coming!

Hi all...I am in Durham....surgery on April 24 at UNC with Dr Farrell.....getting nervous!

Cigna has been consistent each time I have called to check progress. They told me 5 business days. So I should know tomorrow.

Update! I called Cigna on Monday and was told mine was in review. They got everything on April 10th and it would take 5 days to review for medical necessity. The 1st day was the 11th so I I should hear on Thursday. My surgery is a No go if we don't hear from them with an approval by Friday.

I am tentative next week if we hear from insurance by this Friday.

How exciting I am waiting approval by Insurance. My date is April 24th if we here by Friday I am approved. If not....then it's pushed for another week!

Congrats....happy for your approval! I am still waiting it will be 5 days tomorrow.....each day I hope and pray! But it helps hearing bout others success.

I have read through many of the Cigna posts trying to determine my chances of getting approved based on the successful Cigna insurers on this site. But there have been a few things I wish I knew so I could compare stats! If there are any of you approved Cigna sleevers who post on this site and would be so kind to help me out with filling in the gaps, it would help me better prepare what may potentially be my chances of approval. Can you share your approval stats like: BMI, how long with that BMI, co-morbities how long have you had them, did you do your weight loss plan with your dr or Nut. If your coverage required 3 or 6 months weightloss. I sort of meet insurance requirements, only needed to do 3 months supervised weightloss which I did with my primary care documenting each months visit. Met the barbaric surgery team, had my psych, nut eval. Labs drawn, EKG, got dx with sever sleep apnea during my eval now a month on CPAP. But my BMI has been only 38-39.8 during the past 6 months (although at the surgeons visit just before they submitted I was up like to 40.1) I have had a BMI no lower than 34 over the past 4 years. My md did a recommend letter although very brief..clearing me for surgery and that I would be a good candidate. The surgeon submitted my ppwk on last Wednesday. I called today and its in med review for med necessity hope to hear late this week. Any help with sharing is greatly appreciated! I am very anxious.

Oops CB I should have address that to the initial created of the thread. Still trying to figure out the site. Some posts are old and I am hoping those older posters respond to questions.

Cb0419....can I ask you your BMI and co morbities. I have a low BMI and only two. Did Cigna call your surgeon with the approval and they notified you?

I to have done all my requirements. My BMI ranged from 38-39.8. I got dx with severe sleep apnea in Feb, have had OA of my knees for 3 yrs...but no other co-morbities. My surgeon submitted on last Monday and after reading the Cigna threads I think I better call to chi the status. I have a surgery date of April 24. I hope everything works out for you.