Cigna denied me AGAIN!

I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble getting approved through Cigna.  I was approved for the Lap Band after 5 weeks, but that wasn't the surgery I was applying for.  They sent a letter asking for more info and approved the RNY after 2 weeks.  My surgeons office did all of the work once I sent the paperwork to them.  I asked every doctor that had seen me several times within the last 5 years to fax over records.  Maybe your surgeons office has a financial counselor that can help, mine was wonderful.  They stayed on top of everything!!

Good luck!

Thanks Karen. I used to live in Murfreesboro, TN.  It was about 11 years ago.  We lived on Tracy Circle.  Small world.  i was exposed to one too many tornados and headed back to the snow storms!

I understand, I too was affected by that same tornado and have been again since.  It seems like Rutherford County never gets snow, but always the tornado!!

This is to everyone out there and mainly for you Louise. Always call your insurance company and ask them to send you their requirements for WLS. DO NOT get it verbally because in the beginning I did and i called them 6 times and got different answers from from all of them so get it in writing.

I do have it in writing, but it is not specific enough.  It says a 6 month physician assisted diet program, that is it.  Which is quite vague.  When I called and asked if the 3 months with the nutritionist counted toward that 6 months I was told yes and to follow up the other 3 months with my primary.  Then when I went to submit, I was told they no longer accept the nut visits, only primary care visits and it has to be the same physician each time.  Also, they added a requirement which is to prove your weight has been over 40 BMI for 2 years and they never sent me anything saying that it was added, I actually found out about it on this website.  But you are correct in saying that you should know exactly what it is your insurance company expects of you and how many times you are allowed to appeal.