Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 Well here I am, at a place I was really hoping not to be.....having to appeal. I was denied be Cigna on the basis that the DS is investigional. So I am now doing what so many others before me have done, beginning the fight. Could anyone who has ever been approved by Cigna (my doctor has had some and can't understand my denial) PLEASE, PLEASE give me the ammuntion I need and send me a letter stating what your name is, your insurance coverage, where and when you had surgery, what your BMI was and is today, your co-morbidities and how they have improved or gone away with surgery. Feel free to include pictures or anything else you think might help. I'll also be happy to listen to any suggestions you might have for me. I'm so depressed and am having to force myself to keep trying. I'm not a good fighter, but hoping to gain a new talent for it! Sincerely, Angel Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 Well here I am, at a place I was really hoping not to be.....having to appeal. I was denied be Cigna on the basis that the DS is investigional. So I am now doing what so many others before me have done, beginning the fight. Could anyone who has ever been approved by Cigna (my doctor has had some and can't understand my denial) PLEASE, PLEASE give me the ammuntion I need and send me a letter stating what your name is, your insurance coverage, where and when you had surgery, what your BMI was and is today, your co-morbidities and how they have improved or gone away with surgery. Feel free to include pictures or anything else you think might help. I'll also be happy to listen to any suggestions you might have for me. I'm so depressed and am having to force myself to keep trying. I'm not a good fighter, but hoping to gain a new talent for it! Sincerely, Angel Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 > Well here I am, at a place I was really hoping not to be.....having > to appeal. I was denied be Cigna on the basis that the DS is > investigional. Could anyone who has ever been approved by > Cigna (my doctor has had some and can't understand my denial) PLEASE, > PLEASE give me the ammuntion I need and send me a letter stating what your name is, your insurance coverage, where and when you had surgery, what your BMI was and is today, your co-morbidities and how they have improved or gone away with surgery. Angel - my name is Ellen and I have Cigna through my work. It's a policy that does not exclude weight loss surgeries. They required that i have 3 supervised weight loss attempts in the last 5 years (I think) and have either a high enough BMI, or a BMI with co- morbidities. I changed to a PCP who was in my surgeon's medical group - and both were cigna doctors. I also switched to PPO from HMO during my company's open enrollment time, since I thought it would be easier to get approved. Going PPO meant I had to pay the out of pocket maximum - which was $1000. Once the switch to PPO process happened, which took the first two weeks in January 2001, the request for surgery was sent in. I was approved about 3 weeks later. I had my DS with Dr. Anthone, at USC University Hospital, on Feb. 14, 2001. Prior to surgery I weighed 310,my bmi was 46, I had diabetes for 3 years, high blood pressure for about 7 years, and high cholesterol. I took Actos, Glyburide, Glucophage and insulin daily for diabetes. I took Zocor for the cholesterol and Prinival for the HBP, both daily.These diseases have been eliminated by the surgery and resulting weight loss. I have not taken ANY of these drugs since the day before my surgery.It took about 2 weeks after surgery for my blood sugars to get to within " normal' range, but they are within completely normal limits all the time. My blood pressure went down dramatically and quickly and is now 120/80. My cholesterol dropped from 210 to 148. I am able to walk and exercise, and have so much more energy than before, even though I still have a long way to go. Let me know if there is more information that I can help you with, and good luck. Ellen DS 2/14/01 310 Dr. Anthone 7/11/01 242 - 68 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 > Well here I am, at a place I was really hoping not to be.....having > to appeal. I was denied be Cigna on the basis that the DS is > investigional. Could anyone who has ever been approved by > Cigna (my doctor has had some and can't understand my denial) PLEASE, > PLEASE give me the ammuntion I need and send me a letter stating what your name is, your insurance coverage, where and when you had surgery, what your BMI was and is today, your co-morbidities and how they have improved or gone away with surgery. Angel - my name is Ellen and I have Cigna through my work. It's a policy that does not exclude weight loss surgeries. They required that i have 3 supervised weight loss attempts in the last 5 years (I think) and have either a high enough BMI, or a BMI with co- morbidities. I changed to a PCP who was in my surgeon's medical group - and both were cigna doctors. I also switched to PPO from HMO during my company's open enrollment time, since I thought it would be easier to get approved. Going PPO meant I had to pay the out of pocket maximum - which was $1000. Once the switch to PPO process happened, which took the first two weeks in January 2001, the request for surgery was sent in. I was approved about 3 weeks later. I had my DS with Dr. Anthone, at USC University Hospital, on Feb. 14, 2001. Prior to surgery I weighed 310,my bmi was 46, I had diabetes for 3 years, high blood pressure for about 7 years, and high cholesterol. I took Actos, Glyburide, Glucophage and insulin daily for diabetes. I took Zocor for the cholesterol and Prinival for the HBP, both daily.These diseases have been eliminated by the surgery and resulting weight loss. I have not taken ANY of these drugs since the day before my surgery.It took about 2 weeks after surgery for my blood sugars to get to within " normal' range, but they are within completely normal limits all the time. My blood pressure went down dramatically and quickly and is now 120/80. My cholesterol dropped from 210 to 148. I am able to walk and exercise, and have so much more energy than before, even though I still have a long way to go. Let me know if there is more information that I can help you with, and good luck. Ellen DS 2/14/01 310 Dr. Anthone 7/11/01 242 - 68 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 Angel, I am writing in regards to your problem with Cigna. I know a lady that won after a long fight with them. I am sure she would be willing to help. Email her at seadreamer13@.... Good luck!!! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2001 Report Share Posted July 11, 2001 Angel, I am writing in regards to your problem with Cigna. I know a lady that won after a long fight with them. I am sure she would be willing to help. Email her at seadreamer13@.... Good luck!!! Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Hi Was this Cigna PPO or HMO? I have Cigna too and I'm hoping that it won't be a problem but I may be counting my chickens too soon...Also I have found that Cigna is different in different states....Where are you? Cindy S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2001 Report Share Posted July 15, 2001 Hi Was this Cigna PPO or HMO? I have Cigna too and I'm hoping that it won't be a problem but I may be counting my chickens too soon...Also I have found that Cigna is different in different states....Where are you? Cindy S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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