Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone approved by CIGNA?



Recommended Posts

Hi I have CIGNA as my insurance and I'm wondering if anyone with Cigna has been given a hard time for approval and how long was the process . Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was approved by Cigna. They require 5 business days for a decision. They said some additional paperwork was needed after I submitted so my advocate sent it that day. (even though she already sent it the first time). It was re-submitted for "reconsideration" and took and additional 5 business days. I had my surgery 5 days ago. :) They also require a 3 month supervised diet but no documentation of a weight history. good luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Cigna as well. My approval process included 5 years of weight history and 6 months supervised diet. Once all of the documentation was submitted I was also told a 5 day turnaround. Once I contacted Cigna on the 5th day to check the status, I had been denied. They denied me because the PCP noted that she recommended me for surgery, but didn't specifically state "cleared for surgery" on her paperwork. The patient advocate got that info from the PCP and faxed to them, received the approval 2 days later. :-) Well worth the hassle...I get sleeved 1/10. So excited! Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Cigna too. I was submitted on Dec 8, but was denied. Cigna claimed they didn't receive the 3 month supervised diet (which they did receive), and they said that my pcp didn't provide enough documentation that I had an adequate comorbidity (which I do). My advocate sent the 3 month history again, and I got a letter from my pcp stating that this surgery would help my hyperlipidemia, which is my comorbidity, and Cigna states that hyperlipidemia is an adequate comorbidity. My advocate resubmitted all of that info on Dec 27. My advocate says she will call them by Friday if she hasn't heard from them. My Cigna asks for the exact same requirements as mommybo. Since my bmi is right at 35-36 and I only have one comorbidity (even though Cigna says you only have to have one), I'm not feeling real positive. If they deny me again, I will keep fighting....uggghhh.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wAs approved by cigna recently. My first submussiin they denied because they needed another doctors opinion as to why this surgery will benefit you and also that i did not present my 3 minth supervised diet. Total BS! So i had my pcp write a letter if recommendation and resubmitted aling with my 3 ointh supervised diet ligs and was approved after 5 days. I am BMI 48 with a couple of comorbidities but they still like to play a little game. Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Cigna I needed a 6 month supervised visits and tests to be able to submit and now I have to wait 30 business days to find out if I'm approved or not

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They denied me waiting for a appeal reallt depress I have Cigna

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They denied me waiting for a appeal reallt depress I have Cigna

Oh no Ms Jackie! Praying for you!! Hang in there, remember I was denied at first too and then approved. It's like they don't EVER approve on the first try. Keep me updated. :rolleyes:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I will sis why was you denied at first?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I will sis why was you denied at first?

They needed the documentation of me seeing a nutritionist. My PCP saw me for the 3 month supervised diet because the requirements said it has to be supervised by your doctor OR a nutritionst. My advocate got me in that day with a nutrionist and she sent them her report that day. It was weird but it turned out ok. It was the week of Thanksgiving so I ended up waiting longer than a week for a response.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Cinga. I had to do 3 months of dietitian apoinments. 2 co-morbidities or a BMI over 40. I met all their requirements and was denined stating that surgery was not medically nessasary. My doctor then had to do a peer to peer with the Cinga medical director to get it approved. It only took 5 days total from submitting paper work to the approval.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor peer peer appeal too waiting now

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No problem at all with Cigna - quick turn around - all covered

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×