I was approved today by Cigna. I was able to show I had a BMI of between 35-40 for past couple years. But the real thing was having a 6 month history of going through a doctor supervised diet. There was no way around this. I had gone to a place called Medi Weight Loss (Phentermine is really the secret - they give you suppresents and a very low calorie diet - but once you stop taking the pills......you get your appetite back!)

So they will pay out of network costs (so roughly I will pay out of pocket about 50% of the fees).

Anyway - my general doctor was very supportive. She gave a letter to my surgeon's office that recommended me having the surgery. I had to follow all the paperwork to a "T" so hoping to be sleeved on September 1st (taking a trip to Italy for 2 weeks in August first!!)

Great news!:thumbup1:

How long did it take to get your approval?

I am hoping to have my paperwork ready to go the first week of September. At least that's when I will be done with the six month diet.

It took less than two weeks. My doctors office said its actually better the longer it takes because that means they are really evaluating the paperwork instead of quickly rejecting. I too am trying to do it September 1st......

I know cigna told me I would have to pay 20%. how much is the surgery?

My plan has an out-of-pocket maximum of $1350, so that should be the most I have to pay right??

My plan has an out-of-pocket maximum of $1350, so that should be the most I have to pay right??

If your out of network max is $1350, sometimes I think the out of network and in network OOP are different amounts.

I think...

If your out of network max is $1350, sometimes I think the out of network and in network OOP are different amounts.

I think...

Yes you're right. My in-network is $1350, and out-of-network is $2700

I too have Cigna and my Bmi is right at 40, during the 6 month diet if I lose weight that puts me under 40 will they send me denial letter?

Good luck!!

I was denied at first because I didn't have ALL the paperwork they needed.

But, once I faxed that over on a Thursday the pre approved Friday, received REAL approval that Monday!

McKee... do you have any co-morbidities? They are STRICT. They may deny you