I have CIGNA. My paperwork was submitted April 19. There is still no word. The doctor's office said they had 30 days but usually when they deny it's within the first week or two. I'm interested in knowing if you were denied, how long before you got that word, and if you were approved, how long for that? My surgery is scheduled 5-23 and we're getting down to the wire here....

I finally have my surgery date. December 4th is when my new life begins!:clap2:

A word of praise! The insurance coordinator called me today and said that apparently the way my insurance is set up, after I jumped through all their hoops, I was automatically qualified and approved! that came MUCH faster than I thought it would!!!!!!!!!! I just submitted to insurance on the 7th.

I will have surgery the last week of November. WOW that is just a few weeks away! I already have the 30th set up as a surgery date, but I think I will bump it up a couple days to make sure my stay in the hospital is covered. I think if I have surgery on the 30th, and get discharged on the 1st of December, they may not cover the first, because I canceled the insurance on the first of Dec. (I am cobra)

enough of my rambling... this is really going to happen!

This is great news Cagstorm and so fast! Have you caught your breath yet? Congratulations on taking the step to a heathier new you!

Keep us posted!

So overit

I am so glad that I found this forum!

I am in the middle of my 6 month diet. I am fortunate because the insurance coordinator at my doctor's office is also the doctor's wife, so I would assume if the insurance company needs a talking-to that she can have him do it.

I have had everything done that I needed to. I have to see a cardiologist because I do have a heart problem, but that should help me get an approval, along with the high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

My doctors office is going to submit the paperwork for the first time in December. That will be a little over three months into the diet. I guess they do that so Cigna can send their little denial letter saying that I haven't been on the diet long enough. So when I reach the end of the six months, they won't be able to stall and deny anymore!

I really hope Cigna doesn't give me too much of a problem. The insurance coordinator doesn't think so. She knows how they work!

I really need prayers!

Gotta give a woot woot to a fellow 80's lover! I love the 80's too! Also I wanted to pass along my good luck to you. I started with all of Cigna's hoops in the end of January and I finally got through everything recently. My surgery date is 12/04. This is a great thread because we can all relate to the insurance battle. Good luck! Trisha

Thanks, Trisha! I am happy for you that you got your surgery date set! Yay! Is that Jem in your Avatar?

I have done everything the insurance requires except finish out the duration of this diet. I was really hoping that they would approve the surgery with only four months of the diet, but from reading this thread, that idea doesn't seem feasable!

Hello all, I was told by the Dr. office that I was denied by CIGNA because the recommendation from my medical doctor was not 6 consecutive visists on weight loss. Any suggestions? Help! Shauns11:help:

Did you visit your doctor for six months straight, no missed visits, for the medically supervised portion of Cigna's requirement??? If there was even one missed visit, the six months start all over. I am so sorry.

80s Chick-

Why yes that IS jem in my avatar. Isn't it truly outrageous? About the 6-month thing, I have not heard of anyone getting approved before finishing it. They are sticklers about it. The good thing is that you only have 2 more months. You are on the right path and as soon as you are done, you can submit all of your paperwork. This really is for people that are very determined. After jumping through all of these hoops, we have proven to Cigna that we are worth approving. Again, good luck, and keep posting here so we can follow each other's progress. Trisha

<p>Hello Freebird,</p> <p>I am waiting to hear from the insurance coordinator at the hospital I will have the surgery at.</p>

I just learned something interesting from Cigna. Your BMI must be over 40 after the 6 month nutritional waiting period to be considered for lap band surgery. Their representative told me that you must fail in order for the surgery to be covered. I looked into this because I'm just starting the process and my BMI is right at 41.

I just learned something interesting from Cigna. Your BMI must be over 40 after the 6 month nutritional waiting period to be considered for lap band surgery. Their representative told me that you must fail in order for the surgery to be covered. I looked into this because I'm just starting the process and my BMI is right at 41.

Please do not believe everything you are told from Cigna. I get different stories EVERY time I call. Sometimes I get transferred, sometimes not. Sometimes I am transferred up to 5 times and every time I call, I want the exact same thing "Status of the predetermination sent in by my physician for lap band surgery". During the six months, I lost a total of 2 pounds and my BMI is 40. I have other co morbidities (oxygen, high cholesterol) and so that will help, as it will help you if you have other "problems" to go with the weight. Also, if you can, go into your Cigna online and find what their guidelines are under your specific plan. That is what I did when I started this whole thing. I wish you the best of luck.

I gotta laugh before I cry. I have been told several times by Cigna that they have 15 business days to approve/deny my WLS. Just now, I called today for a status on the predetermination and was told by a supervisor that they actually have 45 days. OMG!!! My hopes have just washed down the drain and I can't stop crying.

So much for laughing BEFORE I cry. It's too late.

Hello everyone! I finally found out why I was denied by CIGNA. I was denied because I did not complete the 6 months nutritional part. I have to start that part all over. I did not know that it had to be 6 straight visits. I begin this part again, Dec. 10th. I am looking forward to getting it done. This time, I am using the Lapband doctor's nutritionist. I wanted to have the Lapband before the new year, but if all goes well, I will have it before my b-day.:clap2::whoo: