I have been in a nightmare with Cigna for weeks now. Since August 23rd to be exact. My surgeon sent over 36 pages of documents to Cigna for approval. Including all clearances from doctors, weight check ins for 6 months, reccomendations for surgery from multiple doctors. I get a letter of denial saying they need more information to prove medical nessescity. We discovered that they didnt recieve the fax with 36 pages... so they re-sent. Then on August 31st I get another denial saying they needed a letter from my dietician, a letter showing proof of a BMI over 40 for 12 months and a letter from a physician approving the need for surgery (which they ALREADY had). My surgeons office RE SENT for the 3rd time marking it URGENT. I called this morning as it had been 48 hours since they recieved the fax marked urgent. They said that it would take 5 business days before they would do a reconsideration plus 48 hours to return an answer. I am 13 days from surgery and still have 2 pre-op appoinments that they wont schedule until I get approved. There just isnt enough time. I cant move my surgery date since my boyfriend can only take off certain days because of they type of job he has. Plus I have a wedding in October to go to... and have to be feeling good enough to go... at this rate they would have to push back my surgery to the end of October which doesnt work for my work schedule. I am disgusted with Cigna. Luckily I work for Human Resources and my boss happens to be the director of benefits. I had my surgeon fax over all 36 pages to me and I have given them to my boss... she is calling our Cigna rep and is going to go above the medical directors head to try and get this approved today. PLEASE pray for me... I cant take another denial. I am running out of steam and I am SO stressed. Good thing all I can eat is protein shakes... I dont think I could keep anything else down.

I was self pay. On my Cigna plan wls was not a covered benefit. I am glad I had it done.

Thank you all for your concern and info. I called again today...and was told that a letter was sent out thurs 9/20 to say that they need more info...I guess the EGD was not sent and some progress notes....AAAAAHHHHHH!! IF the surgeon's office had been checking like they said they were then they would have found this out last THurs. So I called office today to have them fax all again.

The reason they are telling me it is taking so long is because it is a non emergent procedure. I have Open Access too....not plus...wonder if that is making the difference. But got a great lady today on the phone and she said once the new info is faxed they will know by the end of the week. "Not denied...just not approved YET" So I am now rescheduled to 10/11/12...two more weeks to wait....

hope you hear something final soon, sandsmom