My paperwork was submitted to cigna on Monday and called today for an update and they told the medical director had the case for last review. Its that bad or god???

I was told the same thing and my approval letter came in the mail 3 days later.

Mine is with the medical director too. I'm hopeful.

But, I'll have to have mine submitted again no matter what because my surgeon quit his group on Friday and I've had to find a new one. Lovely.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! =)

Alicia - that's so frustrating! I'm sorry to hear that =((

I Submited on July 16. Called every day after. It was in the medical directors desk July 24 morning. Called later in the day and got my approval! The letter came 3 days later. You are very close! Good luck!

Ive been calling Cigna everyday since 7/24. Todays status is the same as yesterday it's in a nurse review & either the nurse approves it or it is sent to a medical director for approval or denial. This is what a Cigna rep explained to me. I'm pretty sure I'm approved or @ least that is what I keep telling myself!!!

I wonder why some go on to the medical director and others do not?

I tried probing w/ the rep to better explain to me why it would need a medical directors approval. I did not get a good understanding w/ the explanation she provided.

My doctors office had told me it was based on patients bmi and co-morbidities. I know I've asked this many times, but how long does it actually take to get a response? I has my paperwork sent yesterday 7/30. I'm probably dreaming but I'm hoping its the 5 days I've heard about. lol

It took me 19 days before I received my approval....I have been told Cigna is the most difficult and lengthy to deal with but that they are trying to strealine the process. Mine waiting was horrible. Good luck everyone. My fingers are crossed far you all.

I was denied. The reason being that they need/ want another doctor (in addition to my surgeon) to clear me for surgery. Seems unfair to me since that's not one of the requirements per their policy. Also seems they should request that and then deny if it's not received instead of just denying.

No matter. My new surgeon's office has to file everything all over again anyways. Guess I'll see if my PCP can write something theyll accept as the second clearance. Hopefully thus denial won't addict that next submission. The insurance rep I spoke to this evening said it wouldn't.

I was denied at first for the same thing, but in my case I did have the second clearance letter they just apparently lost or didnt receive it. My surgeon faxed it over and I went through a reconsideration. I was approved in about a week and a half after the second submission.

I think it is pretty standard that the insurance companies want a second clearance or recommendation from another Dr other than the surgeon. All of the different surgeons offices I researched had another Dr they worked with for this reason.

I bet you will be approved. I would try and find out exactly the wording they will need. Cigna can be picky on wording.

Thanks! Good to know.

Thank you!

AliciaA, I can sympathize, I work at a hospital in which the bariatric surgeons have decided to leave our hospital so if I get approved in time, I will not have a problem. Well,except that I met with him for the first time today and he was basically saying that with my especially high bmi he would rather operate on me at the hospital that he is moving to... Really sucks!!!! Means that my insurance would not cover as much so I am going to throw a wrench in his works if I get approved in time and he does not want to do the surgery on me at my hospital, I am going to change surgeons!!! Really anxious and just ready to know already! :/

I was denied. The reason being that they need/ want another doctor (in addition to my surgeon) to clear me for surgery. Seems unfair to me since that's not one of the requirements per their policy. Also seems they should request that and then deny if it's not received instead of just denying.

No matter. My new surgeon's office has to file everything all over again anyways. Guess I'll see if my PCP can write something theyll accept as the second clearance. Hopefully thus denial won't addict that next submission. The insurance rep I spoke to this evening said it wouldn't.

The way Cigna words it is such:

"a separate medical evaluation from a physician other than the requesting surgeon that includes both a recommendation for bariatric surgery as well as a medical clearance for surgery"

In my surgeons office they say the insurance requires a separate "medical clearance" appointment- that should be your "reason for visit" I know this because I tried to get my Dr (who had been seeing me for the last 6 months- and knew every little thing about me) to write me up a recommendation and clearance for surgery and the surgeons office said that wouldn't work. It has to be a separate appointment. It was a pain- and a waste of money- but that was what I had to do to get my approval. Good luck!!!!