Question:
Please help me find an appeal letter. I will except any information.

Cigna denied me on 12/23/04 because of an exclusion that began on 01/2005. Not to mention they received my documents on 12/16/04. I hope something can be done about this,b/c I feel like I have been robbed of my chance to help myself. So please give any suggestions. Thanks, Sakina    — Sakina A. (posted on March 20, 2005)

March 20, 2005
Look at this page on OBH it has a sample of a great appeal to use for your insurance company. I am going to type a copy to my situation and have it ready in case I need it. Good Luck. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/m-instrouble.phtml
   — Debbie M.

March 22, 2005
A similar situation happened to a friend of mine. She was approved in August 2004 and her surgery was set for September. A few days before her surgery an endoscopy revealed an ulcer. Unfortunately she was placed on medication for three months and her surgery had to be postponed. Her insurance (Health Net) was aware of this. In December 2004 a second endoscopy revealed the ulcer was gone and she was once again cleared for surgery. When the Dr's office called them on January 3, 2005 to give them the new surgery date they said the authorization was no longer valid and they would not cover the surgery. They were denying something they already authorized because they changed their policy on Jan. 1, 2005. I felt she had a good case and since you started the process before the policy change you may have a chance also. The first thing I did was write my formal appeal to the company and then I wrote letters to every state representative in Connecticut. Surprisingly everyone wrote back and contacted HealthNet on my friend's behalf. I can tell you the letter was very firm and it stated her disappointment in their decision. It further went on to list all the problems she was having because of being obese. Her letter also included a copy of a letter she wrote to the insurance commissioner stating how obese people are discriminated against by insurance companies and how crutial bariatric surgeries have become. Good luck writing your appeal. I reccommend writing letters to your government representatives, I believe it made a difference in my friend's case.
   — Maura D.