HELP!! Cigna HMO or Open Access? Do you know?

Hello - I am in a weird situation. I have been approved for surgery under BCBS for gastric bypass but found out I was pregnant 5 days before surgery. I have now been offered a new job with new insurance and I am 4 1/2 months into my pregnancy. I really need to know if anyone used either Cigna HMO or Open Access and what was your experience, OR, should I use COBRA coverage since I was hoping to have my surgery in December 2 months after the baby is born. Does anyone have experience with COBRA either? Thank you.

I personally, if you can afford the cost of Cobra, since you are already approved, would do that. But I have Cigna POS with the State of Tennessee and Cigna requrires a six month Dr. supervised diet before they will approve you. However, if you have already done this, it may not be a problem except for the skip in time due to your pregnacy!! I would call and make sure WLS was covered on your plan, because some policies have it written in as an exclusion and what they require. This is going to be a tough decision, but remember, you do have one approval already!!!! Good luck!! Shelia

My first instinct is to say that Cobra might be the best choice... but call to make sure that your approval will remain... the thing is, Open or Access on the Cigna... really does not matter because its your employer and the contact they have with Cigna... so each one is different... you need to find out if either one of them pay for gastric through your employers benefits... For example, using my situation, most BC policies specifically state that no gastric surgery is covered, all are excluded... however, my employer is self funded... they have a contract with BC and they can choose what will be paid or noncovered... so my employer put stipulations on the weight loss surgery (3 mos mandatory program called Succeed which you must attend)... now BC has applied their own regulations which our employer allows them to do such as loss of 10% total body weight, bmi of 40 or 100 lbs overwight, or the 35 bmi with 3 comorbidities, etc... So find out what their policy with Cigna says....good luck. And congratulations on your pregnancy!

If I can add my 2 cents to the excellent advise you have already been given. Check your letter of approval from BCBS. Mine had a time period for the approval. I had 1 year from the date of the letter to have my surgery. Also, I would recommend contacting Dr. Dyer's office and asking how soon after giving birth he would consider performing the surgery. I'm sure he is going to want to make sure you have adequate time to recover from childbirth before doing surgery. Third, COBRA is usually very expensive! Contact your HR department at the old job to get the rates and be prepared for sticker shock. Congratulations on your upcoming addition. I wish you the best with the baby and WLS. Boy, the changes that will take place in your household.

Hi Kelly. I would stick to the BCBS since they have already approved you for surgery. Congradulations on the addition to your home. I agree with Susan regarding the time limit. Check with them and your surgeon regarding what they may feel is adaquit time after your delivery before you can have the surgery. You still end up having to do the 6 month or 3 month supervised diet to lose the extra pounds that you will be putting on during your pregnancy. I am sending all the best of joy and happiness to you and your family. May God guide you on this new and exciting journey. Kathy

Hello Kelly, My experience with Cigna was a very easy one. I had my letter and 6 documented doctor visits. That's all it took. Good Luck!