Question:
how long was the wait to find out if they will pay for surgery?

Hi everybody I have CIGNA I have seen the surgeon twice already and saw him for the third time for my pr-op visit at that visit the nurse said they were waiting for approval so I had to sign a paper saying i would be responsible for paying for that visit if insurance company did not come thru. My surgery is schudule 02-nov-2002 and i really want to know how soon will it be when i hear back from the insurance company. I know I qulify for surgery I just can't stand the wait to make sure there paying for it. I can't afford the bill from standford medical center. there expensive but the best in the world hospital wise.    — sheri B. (posted on October 6, 2002)

October 7, 2002
I have Cigna EPP (glorified HMO) in Virginia. My first consultation with the surgeon was January 7, 2002. The paperwork with Cigna was filed in the next 2-3 weeks from the surgeon's office. Somehow they didn't get my paperwork from my primary care until mid-March. I was denied in late March because I didn't have 12 weeks of physician supervised dieting in the past 12 months. Luckily I had gone to my primary care the same week in January and told her that Cigna would probably deny me if we didn't do the 12 week program, so we started that week. I also asked her each time I went in to make sure her notes documented the current state of my co-morbidities. The 12 weeks was up the first week of April, so I filed a Level 1 appeal with Cigna. I got my approval in late May and had my surgery August 15, 2002. Be nice, but be firm with Cigna. Keep calling for updates on status and if you don't get answer ask for supervisors.
   — Cathy S.