I am just starting on this journey and have an insurance verification questionnaire from the surgeon with whom I have a consultation next week. One of the questions is " Is a Bariatric Center of Excellence required"? I have Cigna Open Access Plus, and when I spoke to a Cigna rep earlier she couldn't tell if a COE is required or not as it didn't say. Does anyone have any recent experience with this Cigna plan and know if a COE is required?

I have Cigna OAP and yes, it was required. Of course, that may just be my plan with my employer, but yes, I needed the hospital to be a COE.

Edited December 5, 20178 yr by fruitandveggies

I’m not sure if it was or not, but I had a COE as well. I would assume that it isn’t required, if the rep couldn’t find anything. But we all know that sometimes reps don’t know everything either. Hope you find your answer, although it wouldn’t hurt to choose a COE to start, and if you’re able.