My BMI is 39. If I want to have Cigna cover the lap-band I need 6 months of supervised diet and exercise. Well of course I can probably take off 10lbs, (it's keeping it off that has been a life long struggle) but then I'll have lost some of the BMI - making me less of an "appropriate" candidate for coverage. You need to have a BMI of 40 to qualify.

Or, do I just suck it up and self-pay, assuming I may have to pay anyway even after the supervised diet?

Any advise or suggestions?

edited to add: I have no co-morbidities and am very healthy.

Even with a BMI of only 35.....my insurance approved me and I had my surgery on May 23rd, 2006

I had sleep apnea

hypothyroid

starting to get hypertensive

and a fatty liver

Of course....all the copays and deductibles will not be applied to my annual maximums.....so I will be probably paying between $4000 to $5000 for my portion.....but I was thrilled to be accepted...and quite surprised!

good luck and hang in there!

diane

My BMI was 35 Im in a size 14 right now.

Both my daughter and I had to prove that being on a diet worked but not well. No major weight loss.We had to go a year.Show that we knew our correct portion sizes. Write down what we we in a journal. They want you to make a serious effort on your own before they invest the money on you. They think If you give up that easy you will not do well with surgery.

I have been on the supervised diet for 5 months now. I am so sick of being so heavy. I am now at a BMI of 40 - terrific, right? Yeah, well now I come to find out Cigna requires one year at a 40 BMI - or 39 and under with co-morbidities. And they are talking serious, like Type 2 diabetes and pulmonary hypertension. I might as well go another month, but I have this sneaking suspicion I won't get coverage. It just sucks that I have to wait to find out.

I have Harvard Pilgram and I have not started the battle yet. I am a mere 33 BMI. I have sleep apnea that is so bad that I may be forced to do that surgery--which seems far worse than this one. I had a mini stroke 6 months ago. I have high BP and my feet hurt, really hurt, all the time. Do I have a prayer of getting it covered??

I have been on the supervised diet for 5 months now. I am so sick of being so heavy. I am now at a BMI of 40 - terrific, right? Yeah, well now I come to find out Cigna requires one year at a 40 BMI - or 39 and under with co-morbidities. And they are talking serious, like Type 2 diabetes and pulmonary hypertension. I might as well go another month, but I have this sneaking suspicion I won't get coverage. It just sucks that I have to wait to find out.

I totally sympathize with you. When Insurance companies have OUR lives in the balance it is very frustrating indeed.

If you were able to Self pay (like I did in Canada) you would be surprised where you could find the money. I am taking my loan over 10 yrs and my payment is $169 per month. It is coming off my grocery budget.

When I add up all the times I went thru the drive thru for donuts, coffee, MacDonalds.... yada,yada,yada.. plus now that I am banded I am eating less than HALF the food I did before.

Now lets look at it another way, all the stress of fighting with the ins. co. what's that doing to your B/P?

Your health is worth every penny you put into it.

Whatever you decide, I hope your journey is successful.