NEWME10

Hello all, Just wanted to make sure to emphasize that your monthly checkups have to be exactly a month apart. I missed it by 2 weeks because my Dr. was out of the country for a class and I was denied because of it only after appeal and written explanation of the two overdue Dr. appoint did they ever approved me. I have Cigna and apparently they are very serious about their rules. I started this process back in August and surgery is scheduled for May 14th. I know you're anxious but hopefully it will all be worth it. Good Luck Susie

Good morning all, I was wondering if you could tell me what the liver shrinking diet consist of for Dr. Bautista and how long are you supposed to be on it? I am scheduled for surgery on May 14th. That was his first available appointment. I think the liver shrinking diet diet scares me a little. Thanks for any insight into this. Susie

I just spoke with the girl that makes the appointmnets and I have a surgery date of May 14th, I am so excited. My Dr, is Bautista. Is there anyone around Richmond reading this that is or has had him for the surgery? Just wondering. It sounds like I have a lot to do between now and then. Cardiac evaluation, Physical, Blood work, Nutritional counseling, A Diabetes class, and 1 on 1 about the nutritional needs after surgery. I also have to have a meeting with the Dr. I think with my husband to discuss the actual surgery. I think that one scares me the most. This is the first thing in a long time that I've actually done something positive just for me. Any other May Bandters out there? Susie

Good evening, all I can tell you from my experiences with Cigna if you don't get in touch with a supervisor all they do is push you around and try to bury your file. I was denied the first time with Cigna even though when I sent in my appeal the surgeons office sent the exact same information the second time and they approved it through the appeal process. I do not have a BMI of 40 but it is 37.5 and I have several serious commorbidities. I had to call everyother day to check on the progress and several times they told me I needed different pieces of information but after I got to the supervisor they assured me they had everything they needed. With Cigna it has taken me since early October to get through the process and just This past Thursday the supervisor that had assigned herself my case called to let me know that the procedure had been approved. I still am not scheduled for surgery yet because the surgeons office has to received the approval in writing before they will schedule my surgery. I wish you well on your journey but if you did not get a letter on medical nescity from your PCP I am sure they will need one. Along with the 6 month medically supervised diet and excercise program documentation. I was so envious of all the people on hear that got their approvals so quickly but with Cigna you have to fight. But don't let them win, we pay for our insurance and deserve our benefits. Susie

Hello everyone I was told that I would have to wait until late May at best but probally June for my date. I just got approval after fighting with Cigna for over 6 months. Finally after appeal they approved the procedure. I am really scared but I really want to get it over and started so I can start living my life instead of watching everyone else living theirs. I have type 2 diabetes ans I am truely hoping that this will make that go into remission. Susie

:regular_smile:I just found out that I was approved for the LApband. I thought I was ready for this but now I just feel scared. :wink: The girl at the surgery center said it would probally be late May or early June till they can fit me in. I can't imagine the range of emotions I will be feeling until the day gets here. Is there anyoneelse out there having surgery in that time span by the Commonwealth Surgery group in Richmond? Susie

Congratulations, On your milestone. Is there anyway you could tell me how to get the ticker on my account here? I can't find it anywhere. I'm not so great on computer stuff but I really wan the ticker. Thanks NEWME10

How do you get the tickers? I want one. Newme10

Hello gang, Have any of you had to go through the appeal process. I was wondering what I need to do for it. I was denied and now the Dr's office a resubmitted the exact same paper work for the appeal process. Should I have done anything like have written more letters or had my PCP write more letters? Just seems like if they were going to approve it they would have approved it the first time. Any thoughts? Newme10

Hello CCDC74, Did you have to do anything different when it was resubmitted. The dr"s office said that I had met all the requirements and just resubmitted it. When they(cigna) sent the denial , I looked back through my paperwork it looked like I had covered all the bases they addressed. But they were a little vague with where I didn't comply. Just wondering if you had to add anything to the request each time or any of the times? Thanks Newme10

Hello all, I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has been through the appeal process. I am with Cigna in Virginia. Has anyone been approved aftergoing through this process and about how long does it take? I started this journey back in September. It took them four weeks to deny me the first time. The Dr's office resubmitted it in January. Just anxious I guess. Newme10

Hello everyone, Just to make all of you feel better, my insurance company is Cigna and they have had all the paperwork for over a month and all they tell me when I call is it's still beng reviewed. At first I was told two weeks, then I was told told 30 days. The last time I called they said it could take up to 30 working days. I actually submitted the Predetermination on Oct 18, 2007. They kicked it out because of a code the Nutritionist did not put on the application. That took until November 18 th to straighten out. So I've been actively working towards this for the past 3 months. I feel like I'm nowhere. Hopefully they will call or send a letter soon. I guess they do have a bunch of cases to review but I really feel like I'm ready for this and want to get going as soon as possible in the new year. My surgeon will not schedule an appointment until the insurance has approved it. And I think there is still more to be done after that like tests to take and such. In October the NP said it would probally happen the end of December or early January it's looking a lot more like February. Godd thing I wasn't holding my breathe. NEWME10:mad:

Hi out there, I turned in my paperwork last week to Cigna. Has anyone had Dr. Bautista in Richmond? The dr. office said it would take a month to hear back does that sound right.