Cigna Insurance

[vsgchick 118]

. Did you have to wait long when you started the process for approval?

Not too long. I started the whole process in mid-May...and approved approximately 3 months later. I had 4 nutrition classes, psych eval, labs and a stress test.

[Jersrose43 837]

Should be about 5 days to hear

Just make sure you have 3 nutritional visits in 89 days or more

Not 88

And you have a letter from a doc not your surgeon, recommending surgery

Must be 40 bmi or greater or 35 with co morbidity

[LSF 264]

Not too long. I started the whole process in mid-May...and approved approximately 3 months later. I had 4 nutrition classes, psych eval, labs and a stress test.

I'm surprised that we have to go through it again since we went through it before with the band

[LSF 264]

Should be about 5 days to hear

Just make sure you have 3 nutritional visits in 89 days or more

Not 88

And you have a letter from a doc not your surgeon, recommending surgery

Must be 40 bmi or greater or 35 with co morbidity

. My surgeon wants to get it done because of the pain I'm experiencing. So I need to see my PCP also??

[Jersrose43 837]

. My surgeon wants to get it done because of the pain I'm experiencing. So I need to see my PCP also??

You need another doctors recommendation. Can be a pcp or on or another specialist you are seeing

Whether you need to see them to get a letter is up to you and that doc

[Jersrose43 837]

https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

This is the Cigna policy on their website.

See bullet point 3. 2nd arrow.

[lovebugg2013 34]

My Cigna plan is amazing so far. Bypass appproved in 5 days. No 3 month nutrition classes/weighins. Just a BMI over 40, surgeon referral and psych eval

[Jersrose43 837]

My Cigna plan is amazing so far. Bypass appproved in 5 days. No 3 month nutrition classes/weighins. Just a BMI over 40, surgeon referral and psych eval

That's because you have a great employer who purchased a waiver. Thank your employer.

[vsgchick 118]

I'm surprised that we have to go through it again since we went through it before with the band

Forgot to mention that I was approved in less than a week once everything was submitted.

[mrsmith901 18]

Did you guys have to show two year weight history of BMI 40+? The Cigna bulletin does not state it is needed but my surgeon's office mentioned having it. I dipped below 40 in 2012 but have records from 2011 when it was 41. I called and asked Cigna and the rep told me it was not needed. Just making sure I have all of my ducks in a row. I should have a clearance letter from my surgeon, PCP, and I can get an additional 2 from my OB & Rhem. I am so nervous about getting approved!

[Jersrose43 837]

Did you guys have to show two year weight history of BMI 40+? The Cigna bulletin does not state it is needed but my surgeon's office mentioned having it. I dipped below 40 in 2012 but have records from 2011 when it was 41. I called and asked Cigna and the rep told me it was not needed. Just making sure I have all of my ducks in a row. I should have a clearance letter from my surgeon, PCP, and I can get an additional 2 from my OB & Rhem. I am so nervous about getting approved!

That's not needed but double check the link I posted to the medical policy to be absolutely sure

[mrsmith901 18]

That's not needed but double check the link I posted to the medical policy to be absolutely sure

Thank you! I have pretty much memorized the policy over the past couple of weeks. I was just taken aback when the surgeon's office said they needed it.

[DeeSleeved427 7]

I'm so glad I found this thread as I have Cigna and will be finishing my 6-month of supervised weight checks Oct 17th. I found out in month 5 that I had to switch Bariatric centers as there was only 1 center of excellence through my plan (required for my employer sponsored plan to cover 100%) so I've been nervous about approval having started in one place and ending in another (lol). All my records were faxed over to the new center and I noticed nothing is signed. I hope that doesn't create problems for approval since everything is electronic record. Anyone ever get delayed over signatures?

[Jersrose43 837]

I'm so glad I found this thread as I have Cigna and will be finishing my 6-month of supervised weight checks Oct 17th. I found out in month 5 that I had to switch Bariatric centers as there was only 1 center of excellence through my plan (required for my employer sponsored plan to cover 100%) so I've been nervous about approval having started in one place and ending in another (lol). All my records were faxed over to the new center and I noticed nothing is signed. I hope that doesn't create problems for approval since everything is electronic record. Anyone ever get delayed over signatures?

Electronic medical records aren't signed.

I would think that is not an issue.

Also - why are you doing 6 months?

See the link i posted several pages back, Cigna requires an 89 day monitoring, not 6 months.

[DeeSleeved427 7]

Electronic medical records aren't signed.

I would think that is not an issue.

Also - why are you doing 6 months?

See the link i posted several pages back, Cigna requires an 89 day monitoring, not 6 months.

I saw the same thing and called many times about it, apparently it's just my employers policy (well my husbands lol). They are also making me use a center of excellence for bariatric surgery only per my plan ????