Well...I've done it! I'm finished with my six months of supervised weight loss (lost like, a whole 8 pounds..woohoo). I worked my booty off this year gathering up all the information I thought Cigna needs to approve my surgery. As far as I know, I've "checkmarked" their list off and I've got/done everything they require. I have no co-morbidities, but my BMI is over 40, so I'm not really worried about that.

My question is, I just called the lady at my surgeon's office who submits the insurance stuff, and all she wants from me are my six weight checks from the doctor and my psych evaluation. I spent $50 to get my medical records from Kaiser so I'd have proof of my weight from two years ago, and she didn't even ask for that. I know she's done this a million times...I just found it odd that Cigna's website shows ALL these things you have to have and she only asked for a couple of them.

Have any of you recently been approved through Cigna? What kind of experience did you have? Do I just need to have that other stuff around "in case" they ask for it? Any responses would be appreciated!:welldoneclap:

That's so exciting! I will probably start calling about Friday to see if my stuff has been submitted. I have no idea how long it should take my surgeon to write his letter for me, but the insurance coordinator said last night she'd have him do it ASAP, since I told her I really need to schedule surgery in May. I can't imagine that they wouldn't be able to get that done by Wednesday or Thursday...and then I assume they fax everything to Cigna? This waiting game is tough!:wub:

Good deal. I would just bug the ins. coordinator every few days or at least once a week, and ask her point blank if she had sent the info. Hooray, My surgery date is May 15th. I think my BMI is about 43.5. I am also a poster child with most all the comorbidities. I should have done this years ago, but have always been a chicken. I have a stress test sched. for this Friday. My cardiologist insists, and he is right as I am sure the surgeon and his team will want it before surgery. I just hope it doesn't show anything needing attention. I hate stress tests.

Bethany, I THINK they make them mail it... that's what my coordinator said - but I am not taking that at 100% truth. (not that I have a reason to doubt, but as we've already seen - they are very much dependant on who the lucky person is that gets your stuff and reviews it!)

I am down 11 lbs since the beginning of the pre-op, and I can't wait to see my surgeon next week to find out if I am doing a good job!!!

Good luck you two!

The "precertification specialist" left me a message today that she received my file and sent in my request for surgery to Cigna! She said she'll call me as soon as she hears anything, but that she doesn't expect to hear anything for about 10 business days. So hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll know if I'm approved and I can get my May date! YAAAAYYYY!

I'm so glad you guys all have surgery dates. Amy, I bet you are over the moon right now! Hope I'll be joining you soon!

You don't have to wait for them to call you back. I will call Cigna tomorrow. I got approved by Cigna too and it took them 2 days to approve it.

Good luck,

Ohhh, that's good advice...I will do that!

I have another question...when you guys turned in your stuff to insurance, what kind of detail did you include in terms of your diet and exercise? My doctor just put things like, "continuing to comply with Weight Watchers, low fat diet momentum plan, aerobic exercise 5xweek for 30 minutes, recommend to add weight lifting...," that kind of stuff. I am a little panicked (now that I have submitted my stuff of course), that that wasn't detailed enough. I don't know...maybe I'm just fretting over nothing. What do you guys think? How did your doctor document that stuff?

Okay Ladies...do the HAPPY dance with me! I got APPROVED for surgery today! She submitted my stuff on Wednesday and I got the e mail today...so it took a whole day and a half. And to top it off, my husband got offered a wonderful new job this morning that pays better than his current one....so I'm feeling OH so good right now!

They are going to call me on Monday to set a surgery date! Mayo Banditos here I come! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!:):sad::tt1:

Like one firefly said to the other.....YOU GLOW, GIRL!

Wonderful that was quick wasn't it? I had my stress test today. I hope to get the results next week. Will keep you posted.

BETHANY!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you! Congrats!!!!! Make sure to post your date once you get it, down in the May 2009 forum!

YAY!

OK Kristi... you're up now. We're waiting on you, girlie!

Oh PS, sorry about not responding to your exercise post, I didn't see it before now. I guess it doesn't matter at this point though huh, because you are already APPROVED! (And to answer the question, I have NO idea anyways... the doctor I did my 6-month diet with is one that my surgeon refers patients to and so he already knew how to note it for Cigna - I never even saw the files)

-Amy

Check out my new signature! I'm an official Bandito!