Authorization Number but not approved or denied yet?

Has anyone ever had their insurance (I have Cigna) give them an authorization number but tell them that they are not approved or denied yet. I called to check status of my pre-certification/authorization for surgery. The girl in claims checked with Health Services. She told me that they had received all the paperwork from my doctor. She gave me my authorization number in case I need to call back about anything. And, then she told me that I hadn't been approved or denied yet. She said that Health Services had done an "outreach to the doctor" and when they got that information back I would have a decision within 24-48 hrs. I didn't think you got an authorization number until you were approved for the procedure. Is this a good sign or bad one? Has anyone heard of this?

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