Hi everyone. I am in the process of getting the Lap Band approved through Cigna. I went for a surgical consult a few weeks ago. They told me that Cigna requires a 6 month physician supervised diet, I had done that already last year. They also told me that they require a letter of medical neccessity from my PCP, I have got that as well. I also have to attend a nutrition and psych evaluation. I have done the nutrition already and I go for the psych eval tomorrow. I am 30 years old, 5'6 and weigh 255 pounds. My BMI is 41. I also have diabetes as well as hypertension. I was just wondering how long it takes for Cigna to approve the surgery and if I am denied, how many times can I appeal? All of this insurance business is very confusing to me. I have already paid quite a bit for the consult and all the evaluations. If they deny me, I will be out all that money!

Hi Carrie! I was banded 1/28 and also have Cigna insurance. After I completed the six month MD weight loss attempt and submitted all the paperwork, I was approved within days. I have NO comorbidities. Also, I was reimbursed for a portion of the classes and psych consults. I hope that this helps and that your process goes quickly and easily. Good Luck to you!

Wow, how did you get approved so fast?! That's great! The insurance cooridinator at the surgeons office said that it could take up to a month to hear back. I hope it doesn't take that long. That's great that they reimbursed you. Cigna did pay for some of the surgical consult, but I still had to pay $105. They haven't paid for the nutrition or psyc eval, I have had to pay $95 for those. And the insurance cooridinator told me that if my surgery is approved, I will have to pay $1000 one week before the surgery for some kind of "program fee". Sounds like a rip off to me, but I think it will be worth it in the end. Besides, I have spent a lot more than that on fad diets, which didn't work!

Wow! I have Cigna and am having to pay close to $600 between the Psych and the Nutritionist because NYU requires those 2 items paid out of pocket. How did you go about getting partially refunded from your insurance company for those?? Im totally gonna try it!

Wow, sadly enough I actually consider all of that lucky in a way. I was approved by my doc to get the surgery and Cigna stated that my company’s coverage doesn’t cover any weight loss assistance. Now I'm trying to get financed for the $11,900 to get it done

Though I guess on the plus side once I get my financing in order I can have it done with in that same week. I hope that they get their S*** straight so you guys can get taken care of.

$600??! WOW! I thought $95 was high! Cigna wouldn't pay anything for the evals for me either, but I am glad they covered some of the surgical consult or it would have cost me over $300. asherje, good luck with your financing. Unfortunately that's not an option for me because I filed Chapter 13 a few years back, and I can't get any credit for anything. So if Cigna doesn't pay, I am just out of luck. I had my psych eval today and I am sending in everything to Cigna tomorrow, so wish me luck!

i was trying to get financed for the vsg procedure and had hell because i dont have any credit. let me know who helps u as i think i have tried all companies possible in america and was denied!

My surgery was approved, and I had it done May 22. I didn't have any luck getting financing for the coinsurance because of my credit. So my husband and I decided to take out a credit card in his name (he has much better credit than me, and was approved for it with no problem). That could be an option for you, I don't know. I am still paying on it, but it is so worth it.

well the problem for me getting financed is that my husband and i both dont have any credit and the credit that we do have is just not the best.....soooooo i was hoping that cigna would cover the procedure once the new hire 90 day probation is over.

well the problem for me getting financed is that my husband and i both dont have any credit and the credit that we do have is just not the best.....soooooo i was hoping that cigna would cover the procedure once the new hire 90 day probation is over.

Have you tried CareCredit? I don't have the best credit, but they approved me. I just went to their website (carecrdit.com) and filled out the application. They also give a list of doctors that take it. Another thing you might look into is some of the lap band companies offer their own financing. I wish you the best of luck either way!