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Is there anyone here who has CIGNA health insurance? If so, after you meet the critera for the health complications due to obesity and finish your physican directed weight management program .... will the insurance company accept your need for surgery and cover you? Or does it depend on the type of plan you have? I am very confused. I went for an evaluation with a surgeon who said I am a perfect fit for lapband and I got a bill today for over $200 saying cigna won't cover that appointment (hence my large bill). I'm weary about them covering my surgery. I have really tried everything to lose weight and nothing has worked. It's predestined in my family genes for me to be larger.... my surgeon said I am getting in his office before truly serious probelsm will start to take place due to my weight. I am just sooo uspet!!! Damn insurance. :(

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hi lookingtolose84!

I also have cigna. Have you called the Customer Service number on your cigna insurance card? Once you get through to a representative they will be able to tell you if you have lapband surgery coverage, and how much you will have to pay "out of pocket". I strongly suggest you call them before you schedule any more Dr appointments or tests. If you do have coverage, ask cigna about paying for the bill you received from the surgeon.

Good Luck!!!

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I have CIGNA as well. I searched their website and got very excited because they list Bariatric Centers, etc. After visiting my primary care physician, who told me I was an excellent candidate and would gladly write a referral for me, I called customer service to inquire about my policy. I was very disheartened to learn that my policy has an exclusion for WLS.

I believe it's dependent on restrictions set by your employer when the policy was negotiated.

I've seen on other forums where CIGNA patients have gotten WLS covered - my best advice is to CALL! :(

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I found online that the policy we have covers lap band surgery AFTER six months medically supervised diet, psychiatric evaluation, support group meetings, proven exercise, etc., etc. Do not miss a visit or you start all over. I have one more visit (Thursday) and they will be sending my paperwork into Cigna and hopefully I get approved on the first go around. But who knows. I printed all of their "qualifications" out when I found them online and the doctor I am working with is very familiar with what Cigna requires, so I truly have my fingers crossed this will work the first time.

You need to call your Cigna talk to somebody and ask them e mail or mail you the qualification list so you know up front what is expected, plus, you have it in writing. I wish you the very best of luck.

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Did they send your first visit in to Cigna??? If they did, you will receive an explanation of benefits from Cigna explaining why they paid or why they did not pay. If it was never sent to Cigna, send it in yourself or have the office send it in.

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    • LeighaTR

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

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      2. Doughgurl

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    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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