Re: Chris is Cigna approved!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

My 16-yr-old daughter is insurance co approved! I can't believe how

fast this has gone since I took the initiative and called Cigna. All you

pre-ops out there who are being told " out of network " by Cigna, go through

the appeal process and when you get to the third level, call and talk to them

about the particuliars of your case. In our case, when Cigna was shown the

surgery they HAD approved ( " in network " or in state) vs. Dr R's surgery, they

saw how much cheaper, safer, cheaper, reversible, cheaper, quicker, oh and

did I say CHEAPER, his is. (Remember the bottom line IS their main concern!)

I will be praying that all my pre-op friends on this list get approved. I

know how hard it is to wait. Now I get to start the process for me (once I

have the certified letter for in hand!) Don't quit fighting Cigna (or

any other co). AND, BTW, they did NOT even ask for a letter from our PCP or

any past history/records, nothing. Just the letter from good ole' Dr R!

Yaaaaay!!!!

We're off to see our PCP--the last hurdle...

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

My 16-yr-old daughter is insurance co approved! I can't believe how

fast this has gone since I took the initiative and called Cigna. All you

pre-ops out there who are being told " out of network " by Cigna, go through

the appeal process and when you get to the third level, call and talk to them

about the particuliars of your case. In our case, when Cigna was shown the

surgery they HAD approved ( " in network " or in state) vs. Dr R's surgery, they

saw how much cheaper, safer, cheaper, reversible, cheaper, quicker, oh and

did I say CHEAPER, his is. (Remember the bottom line IS their main concern!)

I will be praying that all my pre-op friends on this list get approved. I

know how hard it is to wait. Now I get to start the process for me (once I

have the certified letter for in hand!) Don't quit fighting Cigna (or

any other co). AND, BTW, they did NOT even ask for a letter from our PCP or

any past history/records, nothing. Just the letter from good ole' Dr R!

Yaaaaay!!!!

We're off to see our PCP--the last hurdle...

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/2000 12:34:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

DebLaMan@... writes:

<< they

saw how much cheaper, safer, cheaper, reversible, cheaper, quicker, oh and

did I say CHEAPER, his is. >>

LOL LOL LOL, I love your sense of humor Debbie!!! I am so happy for your

daughter Chris!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/2000 12:34:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

DebLaMan@... writes:

<< they

saw how much cheaper, safer, cheaper, reversible, cheaper, quicker, oh and

did I say CHEAPER, his is. >>

LOL LOL LOL, I love your sense of humor Debbie!!! I am so happy for your

daughter Chris!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/2000 12:34:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

DebLaMan@... writes:

<< they

saw how much cheaper, safer, cheaper, reversible, cheaper, quicker, oh and

did I say CHEAPER, his is. >>

LOL LOL LOL, I love your sense of humor Debbie!!! I am so happy for your

daughter Chris!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

[Guest guest]

congratulations honey! Wow Off to an early start! how lucky!! God

Bless, margieSC

[Guest guest]

congratulations honey! Wow Off to an early start! how lucky!! God

Bless, margieSC

[Guest guest]

congratulations honey! Wow Off to an early start! how lucky!! God

Bless, margieSC

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie!

I must have missed (or deleted) your original message saying your daughter

was approved, tell her I said GOOD LUCK! Anyway, when are you hoping to

schedule her surgery? I am HOPING to schedule mine for mid-August and would

love to be there the same time your daughter is. I am only 23 and I would

love to meet her, as I was in her same situation as a teenager. My mom

spent lots of money trying to find a way for me to lose weight. She was

very helpful, but nothing worked. I only wish the MGB had been around

then.....don't we all. I am so happy for you and Chris

Tulsa, Oklahoma

>From: DebLaMan@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>Subject: Re: Re: is Cigna approved!!!!!

>Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 16:16:41 EDT

>

>In a message dated 6/22/00 12:05:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

>SpecialAngel36@... writes:

>

><<

> Dear Debbie,

>

> Yeahhhhhh!!!! (For Chris)...Are you also having the surgery or

> waiting for approval???

>

> Love,

>

> >>

>Hi ,

>Thanks! I would like to have the surgery but haven't yet sent in my online

>form as I didn't want Cigna to freak out with 2 of us at once! I felt that

>took priority as she weighs more and I have already snared my man

>(LOL!)

>

>Regards,

>Debbie in IL

>Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

>Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie!

I must have missed (or deleted) your original message saying your daughter

was approved, tell her I said GOOD LUCK! Anyway, when are you hoping to

schedule her surgery? I am HOPING to schedule mine for mid-August and would

love to be there the same time your daughter is. I am only 23 and I would

love to meet her, as I was in her same situation as a teenager. My mom

spent lots of money trying to find a way for me to lose weight. She was

very helpful, but nothing worked. I only wish the MGB had been around

then.....don't we all. I am so happy for you and Chris

Tulsa, Oklahoma

>From: DebLaMan@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>To: MiniGastricBypass (AT) e

>Subject: Re: Re: is Cigna approved!!!!!

>Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 16:16:41 EDT

>

>In a message dated 6/22/00 12:05:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

>SpecialAngel36@... writes:

>

><<

> Dear Debbie,

>

> Yeahhhhhh!!!! (For Chris)...Are you also having the surgery or

> waiting for approval???

>

> Love,

>

> >>

>Hi ,

>Thanks! I would like to have the surgery but haven't yet sent in my online

>form as I didn't want Cigna to freak out with 2 of us at once! I felt that

>took priority as she weighs more and I have already snared my man

>(LOL!)

>

>Regards,

>Debbie in IL

>Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

>Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/00 10:39:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

CMo6331945@... writes:

<<

LOL LOL LOL, I love your sense of humor Debbie!!! I am so happy for your

daughter Chris!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

>>

Thanks, Cathy!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the kind words. My husband and I are the lucky ones, as our

is an angel!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

In a message dated 6/22/00 11:25:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

cmanikas@... writes:

<<

Debbie,

That is wonderful!! Does know how lucky she is to have a mom

who fights for her like you did? I'm happy that she doesn't have to

go through her life like so many of us have--with the pain of being

unlike everyone else.

We will, of course, need to see photos of her at her senior prom!

My prayers are with you and Chris.

XXXOOO

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Win the airfare, a suite at Bellagio and $15,000. Or win 2 roundtrip

tickets anywhere in the U.S. given away daily. Click for a chance to win.

http://click.egroups.com/1/5294/3/_/453517/_/961698284/ " >Click Here!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the kind words. My husband and I are the lucky ones, as our

is an angel!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

In a message dated 6/22/00 11:25:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

cmanikas@... writes:

<<

Debbie,

That is wonderful!! Does know how lucky she is to have a mom

who fights for her like you did? I'm happy that she doesn't have to

go through her life like so many of us have--with the pain of being

unlike everyone else.

We will, of course, need to see photos of her at her senior prom!

My prayers are with you and Chris.

XXXOOO

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take 20 friends to Vegas on New Year's courtesy of Expedia.com.

Win the airfare, a suite at Bellagio and $15,000. Or win 2 roundtrip

tickets anywhere in the U.S. given away daily. Click for a chance to win.

http://click.egroups.com/1/5294/3/_/453517/_/961698284/ " >Click Here!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com

>>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Margie!

In a message dated 6/22/00 11:39:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

MCypher31@... writes:

<< congratulations honey! Wow Off to an early start! how lucky!! God

Bless, margieSC

>>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/00 12:05:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

SpecialAngel36@... writes:

<<

Dear Debbie,

Yeahhhhhh!!!! (For Chris)...Are you also having the surgery or

waiting for approval???

Love,

>>

Hi ,

Thanks! I would like to have the surgery but haven't yet sent in my online

form as I didn't want Cigna to freak out with 2 of us at once! I felt that

took priority as she weighs more and I have already snared my man (LOL!)

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/00 1:53:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

skinnysoon@... writes:

<<

Hi Debbie!

I must have missed (or deleted) your original message saying your daughter

was approved, tell her I said GOOD LUCK! Anyway, when are you hoping to

schedule her surgery? I am HOPING to schedule mine for mid-August and would

love to be there the same time your daughter is. I am only 23 and I would

love to meet her, as I was in her same situation as a teenager. My mom

spent lots of money trying to find a way for me to lose weight. She was

very helpful, but nothing worked. I only wish the MGB had been around

then.....don't we all. I am so happy for you and Chris

Tulsa, Oklahoma

>>

Hi ,

I'm not sure of the date as I am trying to go at the same time as her and

have just submitted my online form. I will self-pay if Cigna does not

approve me, though. I will be mailing out Chris' complete packet next week

sometime. I'll keep " the list " posted as events unfold! Good luck to you,

sweetie!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/00 1:53:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

skinnysoon@... writes:

<<

Hi Debbie!

I must have missed (or deleted) your original message saying your daughter

was approved, tell her I said GOOD LUCK! Anyway, when are you hoping to

schedule her surgery? I am HOPING to schedule mine for mid-August and would

love to be there the same time your daughter is. I am only 23 and I would

love to meet her, as I was in her same situation as a teenager. My mom

spent lots of money trying to find a way for me to lose weight. She was

very helpful, but nothing worked. I only wish the MGB had been around

then.....don't we all. I am so happy for you and Chris

Tulsa, Oklahoma

>>

Hi ,

I'm not sure of the date as I am trying to go at the same time as her and

have just submitted my online form. I will self-pay if Cigna does not

approve me, though. I will be mailing out Chris' complete packet next week

sometime. I'll keep " the list " posted as events unfold! Good luck to you,

sweetie!

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

Thanks for the kind words. Going through this with a group of loving, caring

friends makes it so much easier. Are you from Louisville? We lived there 2

different times (yeah, we move a LOT!)

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/22/00 2:11:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time, deno33@...

writes:

<<

Debbie,

I'm so happy for Chris. I know how it feels to be young and obese. I truly

believe this will be the beginning of a new life for her. Mine will begin

on August 2. I will be thinking of Chris.

Kay in Ky

>>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations! That is great news... your perserverence paid off. I am in

the middle of a problem getting approved. I have BCBS, and last Friday, they

told me on the phone that I needed to send in a psych evaluation and a

nutritional counseling note... Well, I had the psych evaluation Monday, and

luckily, I am not psychotic... Whew, that was a relief to hear...LOL.. And,

my PCP wrote a letter saying that I had had nutritional counseling in the

past. Then yesterday, I got a copy of a letter from my ins. co, and it says

the nutritional counseling has to be done by a dietician, so I'll have to

have it redone, and they will not even consider approving me until I have had

an appointment with Dr. R... I am in IL, so I hope if I go to the expense of

an extra trip to NC, they will approve me... Between the pysch appt ($200),

Dietician (probably at least $100), airfare, (I called Joanne, a real

sweetheart, I can get round trip Chicago to Raleigh for $163), and hotel

(Fairfield Inn for $39) since I can't get an early morning flight the day I

have a clinic appt, on top of a rental car or cab fees, I will be running

into a good deal of money, especially if I'm going to end up being a self

pay. Does anyone have any ideas of what, if anything I should put in with

the additional info? I pointed out to the nurse at medical review that the

MGB is much cheaper, has a higher success rate, and a much lower complication

rate. She seemed very pessimistic. She said they had had another request

from Dr. R in the past, and they didn't like the idea that he doesn't see the

patient until just before surgery. I explained that he was just trying to

save his patients money, since most of us come from all over the US to have

this procedure. She also mentioned that they didn't like the MGB because it

is still " investigational " . So, I am less optimistic than I was, but I

scheduled a clinic appt. for July 11, and hopefully, after I give them what

they wasnt, they will approve me. Either way, I am hoping to keep my surgery

date of August 2. Any advice on how to sway my review board in the right

direction will be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Deb in IL

[Guest guest]

Congratulations! That is great news... your perserverence paid off. I am in

the middle of a problem getting approved. I have BCBS, and last Friday, they

told me on the phone that I needed to send in a psych evaluation and a

nutritional counseling note... Well, I had the psych evaluation Monday, and

luckily, I am not psychotic... Whew, that was a relief to hear...LOL.. And,

my PCP wrote a letter saying that I had had nutritional counseling in the

past. Then yesterday, I got a copy of a letter from my ins. co, and it says

the nutritional counseling has to be done by a dietician, so I'll have to

have it redone, and they will not even consider approving me until I have had

an appointment with Dr. R... I am in IL, so I hope if I go to the expense of

an extra trip to NC, they will approve me... Between the pysch appt ($200),

Dietician (probably at least $100), airfare, (I called Joanne, a real

sweetheart, I can get round trip Chicago to Raleigh for $163), and hotel

(Fairfield Inn for $39) since I can't get an early morning flight the day I

have a clinic appt, on top of a rental car or cab fees, I will be running

into a good deal of money, especially if I'm going to end up being a self

pay. Does anyone have any ideas of what, if anything I should put in with

the additional info? I pointed out to the nurse at medical review that the

MGB is much cheaper, has a higher success rate, and a much lower complication

rate. She seemed very pessimistic. She said they had had another request

from Dr. R in the past, and they didn't like the idea that he doesn't see the

patient until just before surgery. I explained that he was just trying to

save his patients money, since most of us come from all over the US to have

this procedure. She also mentioned that they didn't like the MGB because it

is still " investigational " . So, I am less optimistic than I was, but I

scheduled a clinic appt. for July 11, and hopefully, after I give them what

they wasnt, they will approve me. Either way, I am hoping to keep my surgery

date of August 2. Any advice on how to sway my review board in the right

direction will be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Deb in IL

[Guest guest]

> Dear Friends,

> My 16-yr-old daughter is insurance co approved!

Debbie,

That is wonderful!! Does know how lucky she is to have a mom

who fights for her like you did? I'm happy that she doesn't have to

go through her life like so many of us have--with the pain of being

unlike everyone else.

We will, of course, need to see photos of her at her senior prom!

My prayers are with you and Chris.

XXXOOO

[Guest guest]

> Dear Friends,

> My 16-yr-old daughter is insurance co approved!

Debbie,

That is wonderful!! Does know how lucky she is to have a mom

who fights for her like you did? I'm happy that she doesn't have to

go through her life like so many of us have--with the pain of being

unlike everyone else.

We will, of course, need to see photos of her at her senior prom!

My prayers are with you and Chris.

XXXOOO

[Guest guest]

> Dear Friends,

> My 16-yr-old daughter is insurance co approved!

Debbie,

That is wonderful!! Does know how lucky she is to have a mom

who fights for her like you did? I'm happy that she doesn't have to

go through her life like so many of us have--with the pain of being

unlike everyone else.

We will, of course, need to see photos of her at her senior prom!

My prayers are with you and Chris.

XXXOOO

[Guest guest]

Wow, Deb!

What a bunch of baloney! It sounds to me like they are very prejudiced

against Dr R to begin with, but I guess you have no choice but to do what

they ask. I wish you all the best. I will send you a copy of my letters of

appeal if it will help. Let me know, (if I have already sent them to you,

forgive me.....) Best of luck and keep fighting! You might consider a

letter from an attorney. I know this is another expense, but current

practice does allow the MGB to people with BMI's above 40.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/22/00 3:23:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Hadjab@...

writes:

<<

Congratulations! That is great news... your perserverence paid off. I am

in

the middle of a problem getting approved. I have BCBS, and last Friday,

they

told me on the phone that I needed to send in a psych evaluation and a

nutritional counseling note... Well, I had the psych evaluation Monday, and

luckily, I am not psychotic... Whew, that was a relief to hear...LOL.. And,

my PCP wrote a letter saying that I had had nutritional counseling in the

past. Then yesterday, I got a copy of a letter from my ins. co, and it says

the nutritional counseling has to be done by a dietician, so I'll have to

have it redone, and they will not even consider approving me until I have

had

an appointment with Dr. R... I am in IL, so I hope if I go to the expense of

an extra trip to NC, they will approve me... Between the pysch appt ($200),

Dietician (probably at least $100), airfare, (I called Joanne, a real

sweetheart, I can get round trip Chicago to Raleigh for $163), and hotel

(Fairfield Inn for $39) since I can't get an early morning flight the day I

have a clinic appt, on top of a rental car or cab fees, I will be running

into a good deal of money, especially if I'm going to end up being a self

pay. Does anyone have any ideas of what, if anything I should put in with

the additional info? I pointed out to the nurse at medical review that the

MGB is much cheaper, has a higher success rate, and a much lower

complication

rate. She seemed very pessimistic. She said they had had another request

from Dr. R in the past, and they didn't like the idea that he doesn't see

the

patient until just before surgery. I explained that he was just trying to

save his patients money, since most of us come from all over the US to have

this procedure. She also mentioned that they didn't like the MGB because it

is still " investigational " . So, I am less optimistic than I was, but I

scheduled a clinic appt. for July 11, and hopefully, after I give them what

they wasnt, they will approve me. Either way, I am hoping to keep my

surgery

date of August 2. Any advice on how to sway my review board in the right

direction will be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Deb in IL

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air >>

[Guest guest]

Wow, Deb!

What a bunch of baloney! It sounds to me like they are very prejudiced

against Dr R to begin with, but I guess you have no choice but to do what

they ask. I wish you all the best. I will send you a copy of my letters of

appeal if it will help. Let me know, (if I have already sent them to you,

forgive me.....) Best of luck and keep fighting! You might consider a

letter from an attorney. I know this is another expense, but current

practice does allow the MGB to people with BMI's above 40.

Regards,

Debbie in IL

Cigna approved on 3rd appeal for daughter (BMI 45)

Counting on Cigna for Debbie (BMI 40)--online form submitted 6/22

In a message dated 6/22/00 3:23:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Hadjab@...

writes:

<<

Congratulations! That is great news... your perserverence paid off. I am

in

the middle of a problem getting approved. I have BCBS, and last Friday,

they

told me on the phone that I needed to send in a psych evaluation and a

nutritional counseling note... Well, I had the psych evaluation Monday, and

luckily, I am not psychotic... Whew, that was a relief to hear...LOL.. And,

my PCP wrote a letter saying that I had had nutritional counseling in the

past. Then yesterday, I got a copy of a letter from my ins. co, and it says

the nutritional counseling has to be done by a dietician, so I'll have to

have it redone, and they will not even consider approving me until I have

had

an appointment with Dr. R... I am in IL, so I hope if I go to the expense of

an extra trip to NC, they will approve me... Between the pysch appt ($200),

Dietician (probably at least $100), airfare, (I called Joanne, a real

sweetheart, I can get round trip Chicago to Raleigh for $163), and hotel

(Fairfield Inn for $39) since I can't get an early morning flight the day I

have a clinic appt, on top of a rental car or cab fees, I will be running

into a good deal of money, especially if I'm going to end up being a self

pay. Does anyone have any ideas of what, if anything I should put in with

the additional info? I pointed out to the nurse at medical review that the

MGB is much cheaper, has a higher success rate, and a much lower

complication

rate. She seemed very pessimistic. She said they had had another request

from Dr. R in the past, and they didn't like the idea that he doesn't see

the

patient until just before surgery. I explained that he was just trying to

save his patients money, since most of us come from all over the US to have

this procedure. She also mentioned that they didn't like the MGB because it

is still " investigational " . So, I am less optimistic than I was, but I

scheduled a clinic appt. for July 11, and hopefully, after I give them what

they wasnt, they will approve me. Either way, I am hoping to keep my

surgery

date of August 2. Any advice on how to sway my review board in the right

direction will be appreciated!

Thanks!!

Deb in IL

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air >>