I can't believe I'm typing this -- I'VE BEEN APPROVED!! I've been on this roller coaster ride for so long I'm still in shock that I will actually have the Lap Band! I'm just so excited!!

that is so great!! good for you.

That's great!

Hoping all goes well for you.

I'm still in the process of documenting everything, hopefully Cigna will approve me in September, shooting for an October banding date.

I too have been on this roller coaster of a journey. Have had more tests than you can shake a stick at and believe it or not the shrink says that I'm normal. Hopefully the six months of wait and documentation will afford me an approval.

Again, good luck and keep in touch.

Thanks Big Fred and Sweethot143! I'm still so excited!

Big Fred hang in there - my advice to you (I know you didn't ask but from my experiences) regarding your 6 month PCP visits - make sure your doctor documents your weight and discussion re diet and exercise. Cigna does comb thru these notes. Oh and never give up!

Thanks again and best of luck to the both of you!

Shelby,

Thanks for the advice, I always welcome it.

Yes, my doctor is documenting our monthly visit, weigh-in's and discussions. I had them forward these to the surgery coordinator and she is happy with them so far.

Hello,

I also have Cigna insurance. My doctor will submit all my paperwork in Sept. when I go for my clinical. On average, how long did it take some of your folks to hear back from Cigna that they approved you?

Thank you!!

Kathy S.

Congrats to you!

I'm with you Kathy. I was wondering the same thing. How long it takes to get an approval from Cigna. I am working on my 6 month deal at this time. Go in for initial consult in October. 6 months is up in December. So if approved probably looking at January or February. Good luck to all of you. Darlene

Hello,

I also have Cigna insurance. My doctor will submit all my paperwork in Sept. when I go for my clinical. On average, how long did it take some of your folks to hear back from Cigna that they approved you?

Thank you!!

Kathy S.

My paperwork was submitted on a Thursday and three weeks from that day, I called and was told over the phone that I had been approved. It took another 2 weeks to receive the approval letter.

Hi there, what's a '6 month deal'? I'm so unfamiliar w/ some of the terms. Is this a 'pre-band diet'?

Thank you!

Kathy S.

It is a 6 month doctor supervised diet pre band. You also have to go through an evaluation by the team of doctors preforming the surgery.

I have a question. anywhere in your EOB does it say that weight loss is not covered? I want to have the lap band but i dont think they will cover. its through my husband's work and its Cigna.

<p><p>I too have CIGNA thru hubby. I called yesterday and was told NO! No chance according to the person I spoke with. Maybe the doctor's office will have better success. I was told that no amount of morbidity makes a difference. MY BMI is 46! I am so discouraged.</p></p>

I thought that I'd found help at last!

Way to go Shelby ...you did it!! Congratulations...please keep us posted!! :whoo:

I've been on that roller coaster ride too and some days I just want to get off...I'm spending so much time & money on tests and now my PCP Primary Care Physician is being weird about the 6 month progress reports ...I think I have to start all over again because he wasn't marking them correctly :guess I wish I had the money to self pay ..>I'm almost thinking of financing instead of being heartbroken at the end of 6 months. I think CIGNA is afraid of going out of business if they pay for all the Lap band surgeries that will be come pouring in if they start being compliant.

If you have a BMI over 40 ...find out what you have to do from your surgeon and do it by the book and you should be covered! I'm in a grey area which is maddening:faint:

Hang in there Sooverit! It's all just so frustrating, isn't it? I believe Cigna's knee jerk reaction is to decline immediately but never give up!