Cigna Health Insurance

My doctor certified me as disabled effective on 12/10/11 and my claim is still "pending" in the Cigna short term disability section. I call and get the runaround and no answers. Can someone help me?

I called to cancel this insurance during the open enrollment period in late 2011. They said the system was down and so she would call me back with a confirmation number. She did call me back. It is now Jan. 2012 and they money is still being deducted from my pay checks. I called to ask why it wasn't cancelled at the beginning of this year and she told me that there is no record of me calling to cancel. The only record shows that I called in 2010? So her advice is that I either have to quit my job or keep paying for this horrible insurance for another year. I have insurance through my other employer and I'm only 22 years old. I don't need to be paying for two types of health insurance.

My wife had a doctor appointment in which she had a biopsy performed. We received a bill saying the claim was denied for preexisting conditions. We had the proper paper worked sent. It took Cigna over 3 months and many late notices and phone calls to acknowledge they received the papers. They then only covered the biopsy but excluding the examination of the biopsy. I talked to Cigna and they said it was 2 separate procedures, I asked why they would perform a biopsy without getting it examined, they would not answer saying it was 2 separate billings and 2 separate doctors. I advised that was the same visit, same procedure that it should be covered. They disagreed and would not give an explanation.

I called 8/2011 and was told by the rep that they need to send a letter to the dentist regarding my daughter's surgery. I was told the same on 9/9/2011. On 10/10 and 11/2, I was told that the insurance didn't receive all the docs from the dentist although the dentist told me they did sent everything needed to process the claim. On 10/19, I got a rejection letter due to lack of documents. When I called on 10/25, I was told that they didn't receive all documents. I called the dental office and they assured me they sent everything three times.

I called Cigna on 11/2 and was surprised to hear that they were able to 'find' all the needed documents. A supervisor confirmed that findings on 11/29 (because I asked to speak to a supervisor after a rep claimed the insurance didn't have the documents yet again); however, on 11/30 I got another rejection letter. I called again 12/27 and was told that all the docs are in and that I will be getting a call. I am still waiting!

It has been 18 years and you always trashed Robert's request for a fair review of his medical films. Even the State Attorney's Office is silent to Robert and the medical board that covered it up also. Did you know, Cigna, that Robert's body shows the medical problems without test being taken? Robert knows bad things can happen in surgery but to be dumped by the system and everything taken from Robert and covered up for so long, well, that's wrong not just for Robert but for any patient to go through. All because of the top doctors that Robert was under that were referred to Robert by you, Cigna.

The attorneys Robert had in the past could do nothing for him or wouldn't because of the doctors that were involved, and one attorney that took medical films away from Robert that no one would do nothing about. Those same films Robert so desperately wanted because of a shot a doctor put in Robert's back that Robert was not billed for or even told to Robert what it was. But later Robert found out it was used to discolor tissue, you know, to try and hide the spreading of the localize scleroderma that was rip open from surgery which is affecting Robert's spine.

Cigna, did you know that was one of the reasons why Robert paid to have those CAT scans taken of his upper extremity, you know those devastating CAT scan reports that everyone ignored? Robert has seen that you changed your logo from a business of caring to "Go You". That's good because Robert could not understand how you could call yourself a business of caring and allow Robert or anyone else to be trashed from a medical mistake even from all his complaining from the pain and medical problems Robert lives with. Do you know, Cigna, that not many doctors will touch Robert because of his past medical problems and the danger that could befall on Robert without a proper medical history review because of the on going medical problem Robert lives with? And Robert blames you, Cigna, for that.

Cigna, you never settled this with Robert. I mean over the real medical problems that were given to Robert from that surgery, and it is time you and Robert resolve this so Robert can get on with his life. I think you owe Robert a little bit more than nothing and everything taken away from Robert, don't you think, so Cigna? Cigna, don't be silent anymore like everyone else has been toward Robert because it's just going to start getting louder and louder until you resolve this properly.

Robert went in surgery for a debridement of his anterior inferior acromion, basically a cleaning of his rotator cuff. That is what Robert was shown in a video. The procedures performed, rotator cuff debridement, bursectomy (extensive debridement), coracoacromial ligament resection, superior rotator cuff, acromioplasty, and acromioclavicular joint. Robert came out of surgery with a damaged and painful rotator cuff, a failed shoulder decompression, and trauma to the brachio-plexus.

The long thoracic nerve severed, causing winging of the shoulder blade that caused the localize scleroderma to spread, which is effecting the thoracic vertebrae of the spine and damage to the surrounding muscles. Robert's cervical vertebrae is being affected because of the shoulder displacement and the trauma to the brachio-plexus, which now is affecting Robert's use of his left extremity. And the bad thing about it all is that it is a progressive medical problem, which means it's getting worse. Robert was given the door the next day after surgery. They tried to make Robert leave right after surgery but Robert's mother would not let them. To this day the doctor who performed Robert's surgery never explained to Robert about the procedures performed in surgery.

I have to tell you about the customer service that your company has provided to me. My wife has been receiving bills from a company by the name of Diagnostic Labs since July 2011 in the amount of $98.52. She has called your billing department several times to see why the bill has not been paid. One time she was told it was because I had a pre-existing condition which required a HIPPA certificate from my previous employer which I provided immediately. She was then told the PCP did not file the questionnaire.

Every time she called she was told it would be re-processed. To our frustration the bill kept coming. My wife called your company on December 15, 2011 and asked to talk to a manager and she was put on hold (25 minutes) and then hung up on. I called back and after explaining yet again I asked to speak to a manager. I again waited 25 minutes when a woman by the name of Rachel came on the phone and yes, once again, I had to tell the story. She ensured me that she was going to take care of this and was going to call me back by 11AM on Friday December 16, 2011; she never did.

I called the return number on Monday December 19, 2011 that she gave me **. When I placed the call it rang several times and then hung up (this really felt like the middle finger to me). I again called the 800 number and asked to speak to Rachel. I was told she was in the office but not available. I asked for a return phone call and once again no call. I waited till today and yes once again explained to your front line staff again and asked for a manager. They put me on hold for only 20 minutes this time. I have now spoken to a manager by the name of Ken who told me the bill has been processed and I am responsible for the $98.52. I asked him why it took 6 months to figure this out.

He could not tell me. I asked for the name of the CEO and he said, "I think Brian **?" I asked for his phone number, he didn't know. I asked for email, he didn't know. I asked for the corporate office number, he had no clue. Sir, the bottom line is your company has extremely poor customer service it's almost nonexistent. I will let you know because of your company I am now in collections and my credit rating will be hurt because of this. I would like to know what your company is going to do about this. Please feel free to email or call me direct.

My complaint is with Cigna Health insurance. I pay for the higher premium to cover the medical needs of my son with Down syndrome. After going to specialists by referral, and being in network, I was told by Cigna that they don't cover speech services for special needs patients. Aren't those the people who need it most? They say its too long term for them, to have to cover the bills. The only consequence is to me and my wallet. They say I have coverage, and pay claims, then 8-9 months later, they say I don't have coverage for my specific need, and require the doctor to pay back claims. I've filed a complaint, and Cigna does not care.

My Lipitor prescription costs me $450 for a 3 month supply. I ordered the generic from Cigna, as soon as it was available. When the time came to get my prescription, Cigna told me the cost would be a $30 copay. I was thrilled. When the drug was available, Cigna called me to authorize $437 for the generic drug! I asked why, after they quoted me a $30 copay. They said "due to the high demand and low availability, this is what we are charging". Can you believe that? What low availability? They not only had it in their possession, they were ready to ship it right then! Cigna is a total rip off, and this has to be against the law. I will follow this up with our district attorney. I cannot obtain a generic alternative for Lipitor for less money, as Cigna is gouging their customers.

I was contacted by my health insurance company via phone, and asked if I would answer some questions. It was an automated call, but they had my insurance info and my full name, and they said it was MVP health care, so I said yes, I would answer questions, because I had just had problems with paperwork, and thought it was a follow up to that problem. No it was not. The first question I was asked was, have I had a pap smear performed in the last 12 months. I then hung up the phone, and called MVP to see if they are conducting these calls.

I was informed that yes they are conducting these calls to check up on customers, but even the rep at MVP agreed with me that they are an invasion of privacy. Does a health insurance provider, whom you pay $500.00 a month to (my husbands company pays them almost $600.00 a month on top of our $500), have the right to monitor your health care, other than being your provider? Or have the right to call you, and question you about subjects, such as are you having pap smears?

I find it very inappropriate that MVP is monitoring me in my personal decisions about MY health care choices. Are they also asking men if they have had prostrate tests done? This is the first time this has happened, so I think this is the future of health care, and it may be scary if they can start denying women insurance, unless you do what they say you have to. I just thought I would make people aware.

Cigna is the worst insurance company I have ever dealt with. Each time I call, I have to set aside at least an entire day to deal with the ridiculous hold times. Each rep I speak with tells me a different story. There is never a manager available. First they say the provider was in-network, then they say they are out-of-network. On one procedure they paid the full amount, and on the next, exact same procedure, just one month later, they paid 40%.

I have reached my family out-of-pocket maximum and Cigna is now responsible for paying 100% of my claims. This was only after I realized they had made multiple errors and they were forced to do a complete audit of my records. I am sure they never would have come up with this on their own. They even admitted that I had paid my family out-of-pocket maximum, but continue to only pay 90%. Their excuses have been many: computer error, pharmacy mistake (made by medical claims), medical mistake (made by pharmacy), etc, etc. When are they to be held accountable?! I am tired of spending hours trying to fix their mistakes (always in their favor). I will now have late payments in my name at the doctor's office because they are incompetent and take advantage of every person who is not paying attention. I will make sure that every person I know (if they have a choice) stays away from Cigna.

I am a behavioral health provider for Cigna. Cigna owes me money on several of my clients, claiming to not have received my bills, that my in-network clients are "out of network", that I faxed or mailed my claims to the wrong place, etc. They have not yet paid me on a client who I see weekly and have been seeing since August 2011. "Conveniently", when I have called, my claims are either "being processed" or have "not yet been received" and that I need to either wait 30 days or resubmit. I get a different excuse time and time again, but the remaining fact is that I am not getting paid money owed to me by Cigna!

I cannot begin to describe the grief that the incompetence and apathy of your company has caused me. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests, and the shared experience of every provider I spoken to indicates, that you guys deliberately delay claims. It's part of your ** business model. You factor in a percentage of people, who will just give up after being denied so many times. Let me be clear: I am not one of those people. I pay for your ** insurance with the expectation, crazy as it might sound, that you will keep up your end of the bargain. I will not stop until I am reimbursed the money that is due to me.

Here is a not-so-brief history of the fraudulent tactics Cigna has used to delay payment of my claim: I submitted 10 dates of service spanning from 10/15/10 to 5/27/11 over two months ago. The claims were rejected because my provider had not included his taxpayer ID number. There is no reason for you to require it. I paid him, I'm the one who needs to be reimbursed. Money he received from me is a matter between him and the IRS. But I acceded to your ridiculous demand and the taxpayer ID was provided. Your representative assured me that I'd be reimbursed in a matter of days.

The claim was rejected a second time because Cigna claimed that my provider was a member of the Value Options plan. I don't know where the ** you got that one, but it is absolutely untrue. My provider, Bruce **, doesn't even take insurance. I insisted on staying on the phone with one of your reps while she called Value Options. A Value Options rep informed her that Bruce ** is/was not a member of the Value Options network. Everything should be okay, right? Smooth sailing from here on, huh? I was even given the name and number of a Cigna supervisor Allen ** (**), who promised to expedite the matter. He made it sound like he had a whole crew of people tidying up those claims for me, ready to throw them in the mail. Except.. I needed to sign and fax a claim form stating the money was to be paid to me, not the provider even though it says on the ** statement that the provider has been paid in full and that insurance companies should pay the patient (me).

Okay, fine. I signed, I faxed, but then after not hearing from Allan for a while, he finally called me back to tell me that since parts of the statement I submitted were handwritten by the provider, I would have to provide Cigna copies of the canceled checks I wrote to Dr. Spring. This was no small task, but I sucked it up, downloaded PDFs of 12 checks I had written and emailed them to him. This was Friday, 11/4. I heard back from Allan yesterday, 11/7, saying that he was still working on it but had no idea when I'd be paid. We are not talking a couple hundred dollars here. We are talking almost $3500.00 of out-of-pocket expenses. We are talking money I was counting on, money I was promised to pay bills.

I see all the happy, smiley faces on your website. So it seems that you guys are somewhat concerned with brand image. Let me tell you what images are conjured in my mind when I think of Cigna: A steaming pile of **, a cancer, raw sewage. I'm submitting this note to your website, but I'm also submitting my experience to every anti-insurance website I can find. I will not stop spreading the word until I am paid in full. You are a problem that needs to be fixed and I swear to you that I will do my part to make sure it happens.

I am an employee of Cigna's out on long term disability. Since my husband is retired and I am the employee of Cigna, Cigna was primary, Medicare was secondary, and his Tri-Care for Life was tertiary, according to Medicare 2010. In 2010, Cigna refuses to pay anything, saying we have a deductible. What deductible? I have 3 insurances. Last year (2010) my husband had a CABG, a quadruple bypass. I can't get them to pay their portion of the bill. I am sick to death emotionally and physically over this outstanding bill for 2010 ($62,000.00). In Dec. 2010, I received a letter from Cigna stating they were retiring me as of Jan. 01, 2011, making Medicare primary for both of us, Cigna secondary, and Tri-Care tertiary. From this I thought I'll have an out of pocket expense of (0) for medical expense. Nope, I have out of pocket deductibles to pay: $550 for Medicare first, then $2200 for Cigna, and Tri- Care will pick up the difference if I can meet the other payments first.

So, what it really amounts to is this; that Cigna became the secondary insurance to dupe their insuree into paying all expenses for them. Cigna's intention is to not have any out of pocket expenses for their insurees or medical facilities and just let the insuree pay it all. I quote them, "Once you meet the deductible, you are responsible for paying the coinsurance - a percentage of the cost for healthcare services." I shouldn't have a cost or deductible or a responsibility for co-insurance. I have 3 insurance coverages. I need help. I have 6000 plus more for 2011. I need help getting Cigna to act as the secondary insurance they are claiming to be. Medicaid treats their insurees with more respect. I know if I feel this way, other Cigna employees must be feeling the same way. I am so tired of begging, pleading, calling, and writing them to pay these bills. I am depressed from this. Please help.

I have had to call to correct Cigna for claims on my son and I for about a year because they always put "claim denied because another insurance is primary for these services". I have had to call to constantly ask them what the other insurance company is and they don't know. Plus, their customer service representatives change the information on the phone that there is no other insurance company, but another claim gets sent to me after another doctor's visit with the same foolishness.

They claim its a glitch in the system, but it's funny how when I call them to re-submit the claim it goes right through. The truth is they are making the healthcare providers wait for payment. That's sad! I never had a problem with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Cigna, when are you guys going to be able to process the claims correctly? The last representative told me it is probably the doctor offices putting another insurance down. I told her the last doctor who had seen my child had never seen him before, so where would she get that from when I only have her a Cigna card. I don't work for you at all, Cigna. But I think I should be paid for handling matters you all should be intelligent enough to handle and this had been going on for a year.

I am very frustrated, overwhelmed, upset, and tired of living in pain. I need lumbar spinal fusion I had my first back surgery in 1987 and have done well until the past few years and have had steroid injections, phys. therapy chiropractic care, and basically live on pain pills which are not good.

My back surgeon has faxed over 100 pages of all information as to why I need lumbar fusion due to constant pain, also faxed were letters from my primary care provider, physical therapy, and chiropractor all concurring with my back surgeon and CIGNA has denied my surgery twice. We are now in a ERD appeals process, the last appeal CIGNA made the decision to deny my surgery before receiving all of the paperwork on 10-27-2011 at approximately 0800 even though the final letters were being faxed to them, my back surgeons office has been wonderful in dealing with CIGNA and all their requests however they do not understand why CIGNA has yet again refused my surgery a second time and we have to do another appeal when over 100 pages of requested information has been faxed as requested by CIGNA verifying that all other things have been tried.

Cigna yesterday told my surgeon that even if I met 5 of their 6 requirements, I would be denied lumbar surgery when the fact of the matter is I in fact meet all of the requirements to be authorized back surgery. I have read the above posts and have also dealt with several of the same CIGNA co employees Yolanda, Jeff, a Barb whom was supposed to help with the problem @ 1 800 591 7752, a Beverly 1800 591 7752 **, who also told me and my back surgeon that even if I only met 5 of the 6 requirements I would be denied when in fact I meet all 6 of their requirements and over 100 pages of medical info has been faxed to CIGNA. Barb and I am still being denied even though my husband has paid high premiums through his employer to CIGNA for medical ins.

Since CIGNA can't claim its pre existing they are now stalling for other reasons that are not valid and also the continuous run around on the ph. is ridiculous and the end result is we'll call you back which doesn't happen as you are avoided as a customer. I do not understand why this is happening accept for pure greed from the insurance company they want the premiums but refuse to provide services which are needed, I also do not understand how CIGNA can deny a procedure when there are four other doctors in concurrence that I need this lumbar fusion. I also feel CIGNA people need to be investigated and also a class action law suit filed against the insurance co!

I am on the BAE Systems Retiree Plan and the rate for 2012 went up $2747. Tell me, why it went up so much with both deductibles and co-pays? I guess ObamaCare didn't help retirees. Can't some governmental agency investigate this company? I had Harvard community health plan and it was great! I never had a problem. Cigna has problems getting the bills straight and never tells you how much you have paid toward your deductible and co-pays. BAE, bring back Harvard health plan!

Cigna continues to make mistakes that are always in their favor. For a few claims, they processed them out of network when they were really in network. I called several times trying to get it straightened out and was given different information all the time. The reps would just say anything to get you off the floor and were very rude. Most awful experience I have ever had dealing with a company.

I had 3 major claims that were paid by the insurance company and 6 months after I switched coverage due to a change in job status, Cigna had requested refunds from the service providers.

I started receiving bills in the mail up to 18 months after the service was completed, paid for by both me and Cigna. After several hours on the phone, I was told that my date of termination was incorrectly changed and backdated 1 year which "caused the system to request refunds automatically".

After several phone calls, I was able to get all but the last claim reprocessed and paid. I was told the last claim was outside the allowable timeframe for reprocessing. I had asked to speak with a supervisor and told they were all in a meeting at the time. I was told I would be called back within 48 hours. They called back 24 hours later and left a voice mail. The number I was given to call back was, believe it or not an 800 number for phone **.

I have since phoned back and spoken directly to a supervisor who has assured me, she will investigate both the refunded claim and the erroneous callback number.

This is by far the most difficult insurance company to deal with. Their customer service employees do not have the tools to investigate problems. They could not see in their system that a refund request was processed. It wasn't until someone telephoned the department responsible for dealing with refund requests that they could even determine what had occurred.

I have spent hours of my valuable time dealing with this process, and I will never give Cigna a nickel of my money for insurance in the future.

Cigna is certainly one of the worst companies in America. Thankfully, I'm no longer insured by them. But during the time that I was, it was a nightmare.

They approve procedures, then deny claims. You can never reach a live person, and never get a response to a written inquiry. The customer service is ungodly. I've convinced more than 40 former Cigna customers to switch, and it's a lifelong goal to get them out of South Carolina completely.

After cancer surgery, I contacted Cigna to get pre-approved for purchasing a specific L7900 Durable Medical device. I was told it was approved and I should find an in-network provider by calling a long list of names. After much effort and research, I found an in-network company that provided the device. Based on Cigna stating they covered the device, I then purchased it. But now Cigna denies the claim and states the L7900 Durable Medical device is not covered by my expensive PPO health insurance. I appealed the denial and they still denied the claim. I did everything I was supposed to do by getting pre-approved yet they still denied it.

Cigna never called back when they said they would and dragged this process out for 4 months. I could attempt a second appeal but I can already tell Cigna is so screwed up and fraudulent that the appeal would be denied. Kaiser was so much better to deal with and I will be going back to them during my company's annual health choice. I am stuck paying for this device even though I would have purchased another device at a lower cost if I knew it was not covered. I don't have the time to get a lawyer and document everything that has happened, but from what I'm reading about Cigna, someone should file a class action lawsuit about fraudulently misleading customers.

The company is incompetent and has fraudulently misled me into making the wrong decision. Worse, they do not acknowledge their mistake and try to repair the damage done. This is the first time I've ever been so disgusted with a company that I found it necessary to file a negative report and I've been around 50 years. But it is unfair to unsuspecting innocent people that unwittingly may get insurance through Cigna..

I was called by CIGNA and told a case provider had been assigned by them to help me as I go through my cancer process. I had a large plethoric sarcoma removed from my back on the 6th of June 2011. I was scheduled to have proton therapy treatment to kill remaining cancer cells that were left in the bed. The treatment has a great success rate and first used for my cancer in 1961.

CIGNA denied the treatment stating they never heard of this type of treatment for my type of cancer. The doctor's name was Dr Irwin **. My doctor was told that he would be given an opportunity to appeal my case and speak directly to a CIGNA doctor. Finally last week, after speaking with a doctor and after being made aware of all the treatments, the Proton Therapy Cancer Center have done with my type of cancer approved my case.

A day later, my cancer doctor's office got a call and was told that the doctor who I spoke with from CIGNA did not have the authority to approve my case.

I am a 100% disabled Veteran and I have never seen such nonsense at the expense of people's lives are allowed to go on. CIGNA should be put out of business after some of the things they have already done in the past such as allowing children to die because of things they decide to cover once it is too late to treat the patient, which they continue to do even now.

CIGNA has repeatedly stalled and claimed that they are waiting for my medical records. It took 6 weeks before they even sent out the request.

They currently are not returning my phone calls. The benefit start date, according to them, is 4-14-2011.

I have talked with over 10 individuals who keep requesting the same information. I have a PPO and chiropractic care is covered under the agreement and yet they keep sending me to different individuals within the organization (over 10 at this point).

They have not paid the chiropractor and I have had to pay for the services rendered, which was almost a year ago. I continue to follow up to be reimbursed and so far have gotten nowhere.

My husband went into the hospital for mental health. The doctors at Vanderbilt admitted him because of his condition and well-being. This is a life and death situation. CIGNA called the doctor and told him that if he is not trying to harm himself right at the moment that they were speaking, then they were not going to cover him and to release him right now.

The problem is that the only reason he is not harming himself is because they have 24-hour watch on him and are trying to get him stable and out of harm's way. But CIGNA does not care. I told several people that work with CIGNA that my husband is very ill and needed to be there. They told me that they cannot discuss him because he is grown. I told her I am the primary card holder and I did need to discuss my husband's problem. That we needed to discuss why you are refusing to cover him.

Then after that she began asking me about my husband's past and why I think he should be there. Now, this is the question. How do they expect me to discuss his personal business with them when they are not willing to cover him or to give any information on him? So I told them that I will call, email or write to every person, company, or government that would listen as to how an insurance company that takes about $800 a month from my check refuses service that they provide and I pay for.

To top it off, every month they take our money and send out these false letters of concern on how they can help with different situations but now that we are in a crisis, they are refusing help. This is my first step. I will call everyone.

I have Cigna through my employer for my health benefits. I have been trying since december of 2010 to file a claim for medication. This is an out of network office but have been told repeatadly that I am still covered. When I first sent the claim in there I was missing a diagnosis code and another code. The director of the clinic that I go to called Cigna and sent them a letter with all of the information that they requested. However I keep getting the run around. One person will say that they have all of the information and the next person will say no we have never recieved anything. I asked if I could speak with the same person when I call and I have been told no.

Everytime I call I get a different person who has no idea what I am talking about. I have never in my life delt with such a horrible company with the worst customer service EVER!!!!! The claim is for over $2000.00 and to be honest I just don't think they want to pay me any of the money. I desperatly need help!!!! All it would take is for one person to take just an hour of their time to look over my account and FOLLOW THROUGH!!!!

I was admitted to a hospital under fraudulent circumstances. My insurance card was stolen and a signature forged. I told CIGNA to pay nothing.

They paid anyways.

It was total fraud and I have the documentation to prove it. CIGNA would not listen. These other people are begging for help and they pay something that is fraudulent. Why? I have tried every department I can. No one knows to do.

I am unemployed and was looking to apply for individual health insurance. When I called Cigna for a quote the sales agent actually flat out told me that based on my three medications my application would be denied! He suggested I ask my doctor to reduce my medication. Can you believe that? I decided to apply anyway, and the agent was correct. Within a few days of submitting the application I was denied outright. They had the nerve to send me a letter suggesting I try HIPAA programs which when I found out would cost me 3 times as much as what I've been paying for federal COBRA!!!

Cigna, like all the other health insurance companies, are in it for profits only. The stuff they do to prospective applicants as well as their insureds would be considered highly illegal in other first world countries, but the US lets them get away with whatever they want to do. So sad!!

My husband's employer began using Cigna as a health insurance provider in 2011. We also have an HSA for the first time this year. In mid-February I had 2 claims, one on 2-15, and the other on 2-17. Our deductible had not yet been met, so both of the claims were sent to our HSA account for automatic payment. A total of $1,566.07 was deducted from our HSA account for payment to the providers. In early March, I was told by one provider that they hadn't received payment and were trying to work with Cigna in order to verify an EFT payment. In late April, I received a bill from the other provider showing no payment had been received by them either.

I called Cigna on 4-27. I was told by Consuela that they were working with the first provider (I'll call them provider A) to track down the payment. Provider A, I was told, was being connected with a Cigna online business site that would allow the provider to track down all necessary information themselves. Regarding the payment to provider B, I was told that an EFT payment had been made and was transferred to Chase (who runs the HSA) for further information. Chase informed me that everything Consuela had just told me was incorrect and that once Cigna debits my HSA account, Chase can no longer see what happened to the funds. So, I called Cigna back and talked to Yolanda. She supposedly put in a request to get information as to how payment was made to Vendor B. She said that she hoped to get a response that day, or the next day at the latest. And she said she would call me the following day with news. Yolanda did not call me back.

So on the afternoon of 4-28, I called Cigna and this time spoke with Ray Lynn. She could see Yolanda's inquiry but said it looked as if it went to the wrong department. She said that she would put in a new request for tracking and would call me back on Sunday or Monday. She did not call me back. I called Cigna again on 5-1 and spoke with Elia who sent me to Mandy. Mandy, before I could stop her, sent me to Chase. And I was told the same thing I was told before. Chase can't help me once Cigna debits my account. So, I called back to Cigna again and spoke with Julie. She said that she could not see a payment being made in her system and that 'we are waiting to hear from that department'. I was supremely frustrated at this point and asked for a supervisor.

I was given to a supervisor named Jeff **. He said that he would find out if funds were paid to vendor B. If not, the funds that were taken from my account would be credited. If a payment was made, he would get me the check clearing info. I thought, finally, I'm getting somewhere but I was wrong. When I spoke with Jeff ** again on 5-4, he said that he could not find any record of payment having been made to Vendor B. He said that he would update the service request so that the money would be credited back to my HSA. He said that he would have verification within 24-48 hours and would call me back by that Friday, May 6th.

Jeff didn't call me on Friday the 6th or Monday the 9th. I left him a voice mail on the 10th and on the 11th. Late in the afternoon of the 11th, I got a call from Julie (apparently calling instead of Jeff). She told me that the payment matter was still under investigation. Cigna did take the money from my HSA and did not pay the provider, but Cigna couldn't figure out where the money went. They said, "When the mystery is solved, we will credit your account." At this point, I was fuming. I explained that I didn't care what Cigna had done with the money or that they needed to figure out the glitch in their system. They admitted to having withdrawn money from my account and having not paid the vendor. "There is no reason for further delay," I said, "pay me back!" She was so sorry she said. She said that they were "working" on it. And she couldn't give me a date by which I would be credited.

On 5-16, I touched base with Vendor A to see if their payment issue had been solved. Big surprise, it had not. They had gotten online with Cigna's Business Services site. But all the information that they could see was "payment was made on X date". There were no payment details or an audit to show which account the payment went into. As the provider said, "Cigna has been less than helpful."

I tried to reach Jeff ** again and could not, only voice mail. So, I called the main number and asked to speak to another supervisor. I was transferred to Gracie **. She listened to my story with a mixture of horror and disbelief. She kept saying, "That just doesn't sound right that we would have taken money out of your account, not paid the vendor, and drug our feet in returning your money." She apologized for Cigna's behavior and said that she would do some research, get things straightened out, and call me the next morning.

5-17: Gracie didn't call me this morning. I called her and she returned my call. She said that she was working with the client service partner (my husband's employer?) and her financial services department. It is confirmed that no check went out to Vendor B. Yet, she cannot tell me when I will have my money back. I explained to her that, in my eyes, Cigna's actions translate to theft. And I said that if any banking institution took $1566.09 from my checking account and refused to return it, I would have solid grounds for legal action, same here, and I'm considering it.

She said that she was working really hard to get this resolved etc. I explained that I had gotten that same story from every person I have talked to over the previous 3 weeks. And I said that as "hard as everyone is working on it", nothing is being done. She said that she "escalated" the matter to a higher level. I asked if she was the first person to "escalate" the situation and she said yes. If this is true, it's a clear sign of how terrible Cigna's customer service is. This should have been elevated to a high priority situation on 4-27 and should have been resolved within a couple of days. Instead, the issue was passed around and ignored. I'm not hopeful that dealing with Gracie will be any different. I told her that I read Cigna's Ethics Policy online and got a huge laugh about their dedication to "fair treatment of customers"! I have never been treated so poorly by any company in my life. Frankly, I never imagined that treatment like this was possible.

Note: I asked what was happening with the payment to Vendor A. She said the investigation is currently on hold until the matter with Vendor B is solved. Assuming Vendor B issue is solved, they will use the same template to solve problem with Vendor A. Again, this is ridiculous, as if everything at Cigna was being done by hand with pen and paper in a back room. If they can't work on issues simultaneously, they are operating in the dark ages. In my opinion, they are simply not in a hurry to refund my money because they don't have to be. And that's what makes me the angriest. We are financially well off. But I know that this kind of gross incompetence could wreck some families with big medical bills and shaky credit. I'm absolutely, totally, and completely disgusted with Cigna.

In a notice dated Feb 9, 2011, I was informed that my insurance premium would be increased to $518, or I could change to another plan of $458. On March 3, I called and spoke to Paul to change plans. He asked what the premium was on the letter I received, and I told him $458. In a letter dated March 4, I was thanked for joining Cigna and enclosed was a Policy Specification page with the new policy information and it showed a premium as $415, not $458. Then in a letter dated March 8, I received a certificate change notice telling me that as of Ap 1, 2011 my premium would be $415. I arranged automatic payments with my bank in the amount of $415. On Apr 15, I received a past due email.

I then sent registered my mail to the billing department and the General Council explaining this situation. In a letter dated Apr 14, I was informed that I had not paid my premium and that I could be canceled. On Apr 25, I spoke to Josh who told me the situation was under review and I would be contacted. I did not hear from Cigna all day so on Apr 26 I called and spoke to Shahita who told me that a letter would be going out, and that a voice message had been left on my phone. When I explained that I had not gotten a call at all, let alone a voice message and that I was threatened with cancellation, she gave me the name of the supervisor who was handling this matter, Ashley ** and her phone extension.

I called and left a voice mail at 9:15 am. When I hadn't heard back by 1 pm I called again and after being disconnected with Vanessa, called back and got Shahita again who informed me that a mistake was made in the written notices and my premium was indeed $458. That the $43 difference would be waived for April, but I would have to pay $458 going forward. The people I dealt with on the phone were extremely patient and helpful. But I am dismayed that the supervisor did nothing to contact me. I feel that Cigna is being deceptive in their pricing of premiums and to this day, I have not received a correction notice, or any documentation stating that my new policy premium is $458.

Cigna has denied me for a procedure that has been determined by my doctor to be medically necessary to my survival. I have been having strokes which my doctors have said is due to a hole in my heart. The doctor wants to do a procedure that is an alternative to open heart surgery and patch the hole. I was told that without this procedure, I could have a major stroke which could kill me or leave me as a vegetable.

Cigna went ahead and approved the exact same procedure for another patient. Yet, I was told that they would not approve it for anyone because supposedly it is not FDA approved and considered experimental. If that is true, which I can prove it false, why would they approve it for someone else? This procedure is done all the time by doctors and the doctors have had great success with this procedure with minor complications.

I was advised and so was Cigna that I was in need of a procedure to patch a hole in my heart. This hole was responsible for at least two strokes that were confirmed and continued stroke symptoms. I could have a major stroke and either die or have permanent damage. Cigna claims it is not an FDA-approved procedure, yet Cigna approved another patient from my doctors' office for the exact same procedure. I am continuing to have strokes and find it difficult some days to work. I could die without this procedure or become a vegetable.

My premium was arbitrary increased from $900.00 to $1,193.00. I asked for the cancellation of the policy and I was given a confirmation number to the effect that my account will not be drafted this month. To my surprise, I got two emails thanking me for scheduling the draft for $1,193.00. This is ridiculous! The customer service stinks. Customer service asked me that I fill up this 15 pages form and go for higher deductible, my insurance will go down. So I filled up the form, faxed it in and I was told the form appeared dim so I re-faxed it in. It took me an entire day. I raised my deductible from $3000.00 to $10,000.00, but I got rejected and my premium went up from $900.00 to $1,193.00. Is there any check on these insurance companies? They can arbitrarily charge whatever they like.

We called Cigna more than 5 times, to check co-pays and coverage of certain medications and procedures. We were told the medicines and treatments were covered under the benefits of our plan. After three months of planning with the doctor for the procedure, the time came in to get the medicines. The doctor faxed in the form, and all of a sudden, nothing was covered.

Cigna Medicare Access told me that they would pay for (Cervical Dystonia) with Botox A. First of all, Cigna stated that they would pay for this under Medicare Part B ($20.00 co-payment). Then, I was told by Cigna that they covered only the office payment with a $20.00 co-payment; Cigna stated that an extra charge would be applied for the administration of the drug in the doctor's office (although Medicare pays 80% after their yearly deductible).

Also, Cigna stated that this drug (although it is medically necessary) would only cover it under their Part D (drug coverage) for an out of pocket cost of $960.60 through their pharmacy, "Argis". I found out that medical Botox would only cost a third of the amount than what I would pay for it out of network at an in-pocket expense through "Argis", that Cigna insists that I have to go through. Cigna told the Botox Assistance Program that they were paying for the drug; they did not. Thus, I have to delay my treatment until after the first of the year (2011), and I am in so much pain that I cannot function.

I sympathize with everyone who has had difficulty with CIGNA. I enrolled with that company some years ago, and have been on a one-man campaign ever since to persuade relatives and colleagues to avoid CIGNA at all costs. Rude employees, very poor communication, failure to answer letters, return calls, etc. I finally paid out of pocket rather than submit claims, until I could switch to a better company.

They would not pay my medical charges because of what they say is a pre-existing medical condition. However, their definition of the pre-existing medical condition does not apply to me. The contract says that "Pre-existing condition means a condition for which a covered person has been medically diagnosed, treated by, or sought advice from, or consulted with, a doctor during the 6 months before the effective date of coverage (June 1, 2010). "

I saw my doctor last on April 2009 and the last visit was on June 2010. Although, I have taken prescription drugs without medical consultation. The insurance company is saying that because of this reason, I have pre-existing medical condition. Hence, they would not pay. Taking prescription drugs before June 1, 2010, is not in their definition of pre-existing medical condition. When I applied for this limited health benefit (by working part-time), I was never asked of an existing medical condition. I pay about $150 every month for this limited medical benefit and I have to pay 76% of the charges from the last doctor visit. I could have just gone to the county hospital and pay only $50 to see the doctor. I cannot cancel because I have to wait for the open enrollment in October. To date, I have paid $467 in employee deductions and I have not gained any benefit from it.

tomy.We have spent weeks dealing with administrative people all the way up to the CFO, because the hospital did not recognize MVP as the representative of Cigna; this also included the people at MVP, USIA Infinity, and the NYS Bar Association, the employer. We pay close to $20,000- per year for family (3 people) health insurance, hardly use it each year, and all of a sudden we are being denied. Very upsetting, esp. when dealing with a situation in which time is of the essence. My husband already had to delay his operation because of the SNAFU. Now they are all saying orally that he is covered, his doctor is listed on the MVP website, but coverage for the first doctor visit was denied. Very upsetting, at best incompetent, at worst, fraud.

#2) Our daughter graduated last year from college, and has been working at a job that provides no healthcare benefits. When Obamacare passed, we called MVP/Cigna. Two different people (at USIA) told us she would be covered as of June 1, 2010 (our enrollment date). After submitting the papers to have her added to our family policy, we received a bulletin back saying that while MVP/Cigna was willing to add her to the policy, the employer had elected not to. After spending hours calling MVP, USIA, the counsel to the Bar Assn. Health Committee and the head of that committee, we finally learned that MVP was going to charge all NYS Bar Assn members in their plan a 2% annual surcharge, so the Bar Assn decided not to have children up to 26 covered until:

1)Obama signed the legislation, and 2) the annual enrollment date arrived back around--hence our daughter will not be covered until June 1, 2011 (for one-half year). If we could drop this plan now, we would!!!! Advice to others: don't join this plan!!

I had surgery done on December 2007. Called CIGNA: "Will you cover the procedure?" answer was "Yes". I got on the table under the knifes. Two months later hospital sending me bills. I called my insurance, they refuse to talk to me, I called again, they said they will take care of it. Two years later, I'm in collections $50,000.00 Because CIGNA said that they send me a paper work to fill out if I have or not, another Insurance Provider. I never received the paper work. I was in my bed for 4 months, going through the healing process. All my mail was brought to me and I organized it. I never dispose of any important material, especially like this one. Now they telling me, because I did not fill the paper work out, I have to pay the bill myself. That's their words!!!!!!!!!!

LETS GET TOGETHER. TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER and we can deal with demonic companies such as CIGNA.

My fiance who had congestive heart failure went out on disability based on many doctors' advice. This was in February 2008. He was very ill. His medical, hospital and doctors records and many physician reports including those which we paid $2200 for were sent to Cigna timely. Cigna continued to deny the claim and we went to several levels of appeal. Ultimately my fiance died on November 14, 2009 with no Cigna resolution. After no word from Cigna, the attorney finally filed a lawsuit against Cigna.

Now, Cigna has denied me the life insurance benefit even though I was named beneficiary. It seems like the "beneficiary form" was not on file. I located it (the employer had it). It seems Cigna received only 8-1/2 x 11" inches of an 8-1/2 x 14" form. I now have to file an appeal and there is not any guarantee Cigna will pay the benefit as Cigna says "the form must be on file with Cigna, not the employer". I urge anyone with Cigna to have Cigna prove they have the beneficiary form on file with them. And I do not recommend Cigna STD/LTD or Group life product to any organization. I am a benefits manager and their sales pitch does not equal their administration. I may need an attorney if Cigna denies the GUL benefit.

I have paid disability premium through Supervalu Group benefits for over 25 of my 30 year career with them. About 10 years ago, I found out I had end stage renal disease. I had been treated for depression ever since. 8 years ago I started dialysis and was allowed to work from home. In September of 2003, I received a transplant and have been dealing with the drug side effects of my immunosuppression.

With the drug side effects for depression, anti-rejection, and neuropathy as a senior software engineer, I found it harder to focus, learn and remember new things. Last July, I finally quit because I just couldn't do it physically and mentally. My heart has a condition called a weak heart and I had neuro evaluation and proved I had short term audio and visual memory loss. I was paid 90 days short term disability but my case was closed after that. I appealed and it's still closed. I applied for Social Security Disability and was accepted and back paid from last December. Cigna has the basically the same definition of disabled but will not pay a dime in LTD.

I have a terminally ill 11-year-old son who has private nursing 12 hours a day to take care of him, while his mother and I work in order to provide for his expensive care. My son's name is Timmy. Timmy's nursing currently is paid for by Medicaid. Medicaid is dropping him because he has access to private insurance at my work, and because his mother and I make too much money. Don't let that fool you, anything above 2000 dollars a month would disqualify us. So we started the process of prequalifying Timmy with Cigna, his private insurance.

Cigna has denied him private nursing twice now despite the fact the policy states they will cover up to 16 hours per day. The denial, according to Cigna is because they state Timmy's care is primarily custodial and not skilled. Timmy gets fed through a tube in his stomach every 2 hours, meds through his tube every 2 hours, injections every other day, enemas as needed, blood drawn as needed, suctioning at least every hour for secretions that make him prone to aspiration, seizure precautions, bleeding precautions with a history of bleeding tendencies and a cerebral bleed.

Timmy is deaf, blind, unable to walk, talk or communicate wants or complaints, he is totally dependent upon others for survival. The state of Tennessee, which we reside, states feedings through a tube , medication administration are skills that require a license, therefore these should not and could not be considered custodial. Timmy's life is in danger if an untrained person cares for him, which is what Cigna is stating should happen.

Well, I had back surgery in June. It was a lumbar fusion of 3 discs. During the first few months, everything was okay except for the inconsistent amount I was receiving for benefits. But I was getting something. But after I was done with my visits with my physical therapists and before my check up with my surgeon, it was a month and a half. So my benefits stopped. During that time, I had moved from short term to long term benefits.

I tried on numerous occasions to explain that I was stuck. I had no way to get an updated report from anyone. I explained this to a rep.named Joseph. He stated that he understood my situation and that he had enough info to get at least the rest of my short term benefits paid to me. He said that he would get to work on it ASAP. Well, after a week, I called to follow up. After two days of my calling with no return call, I again had to explain my situation to him and he again said that he would get to work on it right away. A week later, the same thing happened. He had no idea what I was talking about. After explaining again my situation, it became apparent that he never did or intend to work on my file.

This was a delay of the weeks. He even stated that the reason there was a delay on his returning my calls was because he did not have my contact info. LOL. This is after being with Cigna for several months now. So, On Jan 27th, I saw my surgeon for my check up. He said that I cannot go back to work until Feb 26th. On Feb 1st, my surgeon's office informed me that all of the requested documents were sent to Cigna both fax and through the mail. As of yesterday, I was told by Cigna that they have not received anything yet.

I have called my new rep. Tanya. I have called her daily over the last two weeks to follow up. There have been many occasions that I do not get a call back. And, when I do talk to her I don't get the specifics as to what is going on. All I'm being told is that they are waiting on "medicals." There is no sense of concern or effort. Yesterday, Feb 11th, I contacted my surgeons office and they again faxed my updated report to Tanya *** with the fax number Tanya had given me. Today, I have called Cigna several times and I have yet to hear anything back.

I'm just tired of the stress of dealing with these people. There is no consistency in what they are telling me. There have been times over the last few weeks that I was being told my claim was being reviewed. Then, a few days later, I'm being told they are waiting on updates from my surgeon. Which is it? I really feel like there is nothing I can do. And, I'm tired of being lied to and being blown off. Who can I turn to for help? The so-called "supervisors" there are of no help either. Now, I'm going on two months without having received any benefits.

A little side note, I just spoke to my HR rep from my employer. She handles all of the disability issues. It was amazing to hear that she has been dealing with Cigna over my claim with basically the same issues. Yesterday, they e-mailed her and requested info that she has already sent several times. Some she sent as far back as early December. Does anyone at Cigna have a grasp as to what is going on?

I filed a claim with Cigna, but they would never tell me all the forms I needed. I would fill out one form and call back to see where my claim was. They would say you need to fill out this form, then I would. This goes on till I finally get them all they needed. I sent in a form for release of information. It was to expire on 12-31-2009. I called in the middle of December, and I was told they had until 12-31-2009 to make their decision.

I was to call back the first of 2010. I called back 01-04-2010, and I was told the form to release info had expired. So they could not talk with me. I asked them to fax me a new form, but nothing yet happened. I talked with a manager, and she said it was against the law per ERISA to talk about the claim since it was not for me.

I paid $5500.00 for a friend to be in a hospital, who had cut his wrist trying to kill his self. It was okay for them to lie to me. I have made at least 25 to 30 calls to Cigna. It's a never ending story with Cigna. I called the State of Minn. Their comment was good luck.

My husband's company recently changed from BCBS to Cigna. We have not received any info from Cigna about our health care coverage nor our medical cards. We contacted the company to obtain this info. They would not help until the contract start date. So when the contract started, we called back. Still no help, and the agent was very rude who wouldn't assist unless we have ID numbers (which we didn't have due to we haven't received our cards). Yes!

Even after coverage started, still we couldn't obtain info due to no cards with ID numbers. When we finally received them, we contacted them again, and still no help at all. We got transferred from one agent to the next. And when they finally got a supervisor on the phone, still no help came and was very, very rude. Needless to say, I wish we were back in BCBS instead of this awful place. Cigna has the worst customer service ever, and I really don't know why they have employees just sitting there, if they aren't going to help with customers who by the way pay to have this.

I went to the doctor several days ago and was given a prescription for a topical gel. The doctor apparently ordered this prescription directly with Cigna Tele Drug on her computer during my visit. I phoned Cigna to find out more about the prescription and what it would cost. They told me it would be 124 dollars! And that was 40% of 311.61 the original cost of the medication!! My medical insurance is the Cigna PPO with HSA this cost is crazy! I told them to cancel the prescription because that is too expensive. The person said it was too late the order had been shipped to me already. I said I would ship it back then. He said they cannot accept it back. I said I would not be paying for it. He said then I would have a balance on my account. How can they ship you stuff without you authorizing the charges for it?? How can this be legal?? Seems only fair that people should be able to authorize these things before they can be shipped....otherwise they can ship you anything and say that your doctor ordered it.

I filed for short term disability in August due to severe back pain. My MRI showed herniated discs from lumbar 2 to 4 and spinal stenosis from lumbar 4 to 5. I was in great pain and mobility was almost impossible. They approved only a month and was informed today that the 3 weeks will be denied. I have not yet finished with my treatments. I have no other source of income. I voluntarily signed up for this to cover me in case I got sick.

This is a on going, laundry list of bills. But I will give you an example of one and then my problem/questions. Background info: 5/09 daughter dx with type 1 diabetes. Hospital stay and on-going care.

Every week we receive bills and non payment notices from many health care providers, as well insurance adjustments. Our plan says there is an 25 copay and a 1000.00 out of pocket max per calendar year. There is a small print disclosure statement that reads any charges above the agreeded or customary chargers are the responsibility of the subscriber. Cigna uses a third party to adjust payments to the health care provider. With that being said, here is an example of a real bill and how cigna uses that statement.

A bill from Wachusett: 5/20 charges $442.00, 6/11 cigna reject, 6/11 cigna transfer, 7/31 cigna payment 225.20, 10/02 patient responsibility 216.80

They "cigna "have decided what is customary charges and charges that are above there payment protocol. This dosent seem fair, or legal. We have thousands and thousands of dollars that we owe because cigna only paid what was in ther 3rd party billing protocol. Why don we pay for insurance when they dont cover like they say"100% after a 1000.00 out of pocket, 25 copay. EXECPT any charges above the coverage is the responsibility of the insured

Another example: a bill from Childrens hospt. Boston, MA: 5/21 charges $1182.00, 6/18 cigna payment 0, 8/11 cigna payment 848.96. we now owe 212.25. when I asked they said the 212.25 was above the adjusted payment

Another statement of benefits from cigna:8/04/09. total charges received from childrens hospital $4282.00. plan liability 3183.70. total patient resposibility 977.51. A breif breakdown of one charge: physican 3100.00 charges submitted; not covered or discounted 0; plan liability 2334.74; balance 765.26

We dont know what to do we have about 12,000.00 in medical bills that are adjustments/not covered/ etc and even with insurance, our "prescription plan " we our paying about $200.00 a month for our daughters diabetes supplies, 25-100 in co payments not to mention our own md visits and prescriptions. The stress is really mounting and we need help. I dont feel its fair that if a md submits a bill and a third party says we are only going to pay a portion and u can bill the patient for the rest.

That little disclosure statement any charges above there customary or nogoiated charges are the patients resonsibility is talking out both sides of your mouth. We will cover you but only to the point that WE WANT TO PAY. So can I submit 5 dollars and say that this is what I FEEL I OWE and not have any repercussions? What can I do?

Thank you for listening

This insurance is my ex's insurance company. I want to put my son on my company's insurance. My HR person told me to call and get certifications of eligibility from my ex's insurance. I called and talked with each department (dental, vision, health) to get a certification of eligiblity so I could put my son on my insurance. I got three letters in the mail. The letters were three copies of the DENTAL letter -- no vision or health. I called and spoke first to customer service and couldn't make the guy understand, so I asked for a supervisor. She told me that unless I put my son on the phone right now, she wouldn't send the letters that were supposed to be sent in the first place. My son spoke with each department at the point of my ordering the certifications. They should have a record of this. I just don't understand why they can't just send the letters they were supposed to send in the first place. It was their incompetence, not mine.

This is my Second time complaining. My husband has reoccurring Pyoderma Gangrenosum. He has been fighting it for nearly 2 years. This is in direct relation to his "complicated Crohns disease". He also has vascular disease and a massive DVT in the same leg. He has been out on STD 4 times in the past year. Always a battle with Cigna. In June he wound up in the hospital in fear of bone infection. This time Cigna gave no hassle. Mike went back to work after his 2 round of HBO therapy. 3 days later the wound started to open again. After 8 days we notified Cigna he would be going back out on disability. His Dr. advised long term. This was on July 27.

Cigna has spoke with the Dr.,recieved a note from the Dr. and medical records. They are still refusing to make a determination. It is never enough and they will never ask for all that they need at one time.

I would like to quote the Dr.'s note "Giving the difficulty that Mr. F has had in healing the pyoderma gangrenosum and its impact on his ability to work, he should be considered for total disability. I expect that even in this regard his ability to use this leg is in jeopardy and he should not be subjected to the risk of loss his lover extremity."

She also made me aware today that they are not useing his other illnesses in there judgement. Pyoderma is a direct relation to Crohn's. The DVT started when a dr. gave improper wound care instrutions for the Pyoderma. And the vascular disease is directly related to the fact that the Pyoderma wont heal. I am tired of fighting these people. I am tired of the run around. I am tired of the lies. I have dealt with "complaint" department in the past all that proved to me is that they truly are a bunch of liars. Even going as far as to make up conversations that were never had.

My son has Cigna HMO coverage on his job, FEDEX. Last November he fell victim to a stroke. He is currently living in a nursing home and is completely dependent for care. He has a wheel chair that Cigna paid for. Because of his condition, he needs some alterations to his chair. When "Rehab Specialist requested authorization to order the parts, they were told that they would be covered 100%; however, after the parts arrived at Rehab Specialist's location, Cigna had changed the planned and denied payment. We were told we, the family, would have to pay $1000 to get the alterations done. They changed the plan without any authorization from my son, the patient. Because of this we cannot get the much needed alterations done to his chair.

My son's head is not supported on the right side as it should be causing more attrophy of his muscles on the right side where the stroke is concentrated. We need the tray on his chair so he can have a place to rest his hands and support his remote control and other devises we use to communicate with him as he can not speak. His left arm and hand did not completely recover from a previous stroke and the right arm is completely immobile.

My son suffered 3 ruptured discs in his spine in December 2008. Cigna started paying short term disability. The money Had to be approved weekly by a hostile rep. The requirement was he had to travel 350 miles one way from Killeen, Texas to Corpus Christy, Texas for medical exams and treatment. They told him if he missed any appointment he would lose all benefits. They refused to authorize surgery but demanded he have injections to see if that would work. When the injections failed they authorized surgery but still require the 350 mile one way trip (700 miles round trip) for treastment, they refuse to authorize care in the Killeen, Texas area. Final results to delay is loss of home, loss of car, loss of all money because they keep sending the checks late. Now they will only send money once a month. New forms clearly specify that the Social Security disability money if he is approved will be taken by the insurance company. All state agencies refuse food stamps or housing or medical assistance because the insurance company says he is being paid. He has lost his family, and now can't make the trip they demand he make to keep the medical appointments. They require all trips and yet refuse to pay the cost.

I have a 4 year old daughter Maggie that has a tracking defect with her eyes. They don't track at the same time. She had surgery when she was 2 years old to help correct the problem. Maggie still goes to Children's Hospital every 3 to 4 months for examination of her eyes. They are considering a 2nd surgery which is typical with the type of problem she has. CIGNA repeatedly denies the part of the claim for the refraction stating their policy only allows for a one time of year routine refraction eye exam.

I continually tell them this is a medical condition and in order for them to determine the best medically for her eyes moving forward, she has to have an eye exam each time. Children's Hospital will not code it any differently because they tell me it's medical. In other words CIGNA Health Insurance repeatedly is denying a medical health claim. Maggie's condition is all on record at Children's Hospital. I've done all I can think of and they still continue to deny the claim. I feel I pay a lot of money a month to have health insurance and what good is it if they won't pay for medical treatment?

Can they get away with just taking your money and not paying? My husband's company does not offer health insurance and I feel I have no other options. I've looked up complaints on-line and it does appear the CIGNA recieves many complaints. Is there anything that can be done? To me this is the same as saying your only allowed one xray a year no matter how many bones your break. I truly believe they are just finding loop holes to deny payment. Please Help.

I am a retiree of a large corporation since 2000. We have had CIGNA health insurance for many years and have always been satisfied. Three years ago, my husband became disabled with gouty arthritis, immediately followed by colon cancer. CIGNA, up until the beginning of 2009, has been great. Now, CIGNA has backed off of paying for the continuing medical tests and problems my husband has had since his cancer. They are saying that he became eligible for Medicare when he went on disability, and, therefore, they are no longer the primary insurance.

They have paid a few dollars from the claims, but we are paying a whopping $250 a month for full coverage for him. They say it's our fault we didn't apply for Medicare when it became available to us. In a letter from the Social Security Administration dated February 6, 2008, it states, You may enroll for Medicare medical insurance at any time you are covered under a group health plan.

However, you may wait and enroll durng the 8-month period that begins when the work ends or your coverage under the plan ends, whichever occurs first. So, we elected to stay with CIGNA, since we had been so satisfied, even though their premium had jumped so drastically in January 2009. I have called and written letters to CIGNA trying to get $2500 in medical bills paid, but they are rude and non-responsive to our problem. I finally got someone to promise to mail me an Appeal form, but I haven't received it yet.

They were even rude enough to return a several-page document with cover letter that I sent them asking for a review. CIGNA's stand is that we were required to go on Medicare when it became available, but why didn't they tell us that? Why did our bills have to pile up before they finally told us their policy? Why have they collected the high premium but not provided the services? It's frustrating when you try to do everything right and make the contacts to correct problems...only to be told It's your fault. Deal with it.

My husband needs some more diagnostic work done, but now we can't afford it. He has some new medical problems that need attention, but we can't afford the doctor visits. His health has been put on hold until July, when he will start receiving Medicare benefits. Does CIGNA care? NO!

I filed a claim for short term compansation for surgery. They accepted the clain set the amount to be paid per week. Now I have recieved one payment(late) and any have recieved no more. There are no updates on my claim on thier web page. They do not answer or return my calls. I have paid my dues every week from my check. is it to much to ask to recieve the aggreed upon claim amout in a timely manner. These times are tuff and the loss of income is devastating to our family. please help us.

The cost of the Cigna plan increased by $1500 to over $5000 annually. The benefits decreased to the point where healthcare and prescriptions are no longer affordable. A quarterly check up with the Texas Liver Institute was $80 co-pay, as of '09 it is over $920! Duane Rykan of Tel-Drug quoted a price of $126.77 for a 90 day supply of one of my meds, yet when I tried to sign up, the price increased to over $380.00, despite the quoted price. This is one of nine prescriptions I require.

I suppose I can no longer afford to stay alive due to Cigna's new for '09 price increases.

After fourteen years of long term disability benefits from Cigna. They denied my claim. My health has not changed. My doctor still states that I am disabled and should not return to work. Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the diagnosis. Cigna had a Doctor review my case and he was paid almost $700. (they accidentally mailed me a reciept). He reviewed the paperwork they supplied him. He specializes in occuptional lung disease. I have no idea what that has to do with Fibromyalgia.

He didn't see me or talk to me. Oh and there was the Private Investigator that followed me around for four days. He got ten minutes of video. He saw me getting in a taxi and carrying in 8 pound bag of pet food into the house. The report the PI wrote didnot coinside with the video. I mailed an appeal on my own (I did it in 1997 when Cigna denied me). But I hear things are getting bad for them so they are doing this to a lot of people. Hoping people will just give up.

I may have to go to the ERISA level if this appeal doesn't work. They say it can take up to 180 days for them to make a decision. Another ploy in hoping people will go back to work disabled or not. And then it is all over. I will not be eligible for benefits from them again. This policy was one through my employer. I didn't even know I had this plan until after I got sick and the Human Relations dept. informed me.(thank goodness for them) Cigna also tried to get my MD of ten years to turn against me. They sent her the video and had the Dr. call her. It didn't work I hope. I can tell that our relationship has changed. I think she is sick of dealing with CIGNA. The policy I have states that I can choose any doctor I want to and they will in no way interfere. oops!

The stress alone has made the symptoms of my disease worse. My family doesn't want to hear about it and I can't blame them. It is like a spiraling nightmare. I have no idea how I am going to live finacially. At my age 53 it would be a sad situation if I have to move in with my 80 year old mother. My kids worry about me so I don't want them to know about it. Cigna is just tearing me apart piece by piece with no mercy.

I am a registered nurse. I have several health problems so I was on Intermittant FMLA. In Dec 07 I was told by Cigna that I had over 300 hours to use. I had to stop working 2-6-08. In March I was told that I had no hours left so they were terminating me. I was told by Cigna and a person in Cola who deals with FMLA tell me that its not against the law to give out incorrect information. At this time I was terminated from the hosp. I told them that I had a verbal warning for being out and a written warning. According to their policy the 3rd time an employee gets a suspension, not fired. Darla said she's have to talk to her boss and when she called back said that I was right and extended my time for 30 days. I recieved a certified letter in april 08 that said I was terminated in Feb. No letter was recieved about the change of date.

I also had an ongoing complaint re: harrassment in the work place due to my FMLA. I sent a long grievance letter to Ms Sinclair. I had not heard anything about the grievance and I had been very sick, so it was a momth or so that I tried to get info on grievance.I was told that they had sent me a letter -certified mail re: their response. I told Ms Sinclair that the only letter I recived (certified mail) was where they fired me. I asked what the letter said and she said she couldn't remember but she would send the letter again. I recieved it in june. Nothing was done period. My doctors put me out of work due to several health issues. I have had to get a lawyer to fight for my short term and long term disability. The last full day of work for me was 1-29-08/I worked 3 hours on 2-6-08.

I have had 4 surgeries from 4/08 to 12/08. I had bilateral cervical fusion, gallbladder surgery, and 2 surgeries (10/08 and 12/08) at MUSC in Chas to help me to breathe. I still have apnea. Can not use a cpap or bipap. I have chronic migraines and nausea, arthritis in my back, slight scoliosis, back pain. carpal tunnel in both hands- wear braces on them. I have fibromyalgia, severe depression and stress, chronic pain, High blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperthyroidism, trouble sleeping, trouble with concentration and memory to name a few. I take pain meds everyday. I have not had a paycheck since feb 08.

Cigna keeps saying that I was a sedentary nurse, I'm only 46 and was educated. My job was triaging patients on the phone. Most people, even in the hosp, did not know the extent of our job was. I did work on the computer 10 hours a day. I had to have a sc multistate license and a penn state license. I have had to get a lawyer but according to them I have been turned down 2x already. They are filing an appeal. I think it is so rediculous that when a person truely needs help and has documented health problems that they can't get the help the need or deserve.

My medical bills are rediculous. And I'm getting very frustrated. I do have a laywer who is trying to help me with the STD/LTD and social security disabilty. This has been going on now for a year. I just want to know why this is so hard. My family is living paycheck to paycheck and I have son that graduates highschool this year. Cigna has drawn this out so long. Now I understand why people who are sick/disabled have to file for bancruptcy.

On Saturday, June 28, 2008 I took my 10 y.o. daughter in the local emergency dept with a chief complaint of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. A mass was found in her lower abdomen and it appeared to have ruptured. South Haven Community Hospital has only 40 beds and has no emergency surgery or pediatric services available. Within 15 mins of this diagnosis we were in an ambulance being transported to The Children's Hospital at Bronson Methodist in Kalamazoo, Mi. Once there we met with the Chief of Pediatric Surgery, and the diagnosis was confirmed there was a mass and it appeared to have ruptured. Surgery was scheduled immediately. They removed a tumor the size of a large grapefruit and my daughters right ovary. Shortly after surgery the surgeon informed me of a hospital appointment with an pediatric hematologist and oncologist.

To make an extremely long story short my daughter had an extremely rare form of juvenile ovaian cancer. We were informed that since both hospital visits were emergency Cigna would cover both at 80%. This would not be the case. First we were told that because we didnt call for prior authorization the coverage wouldnt be decreased. (It was Saturday and the call centers were not open) Then it was the fact the hospitals were not in network. Emergent or not. Then that aruptured tumor was not emergent. Finally the bill at South Haven Community was paid at 80% after a battle. Things like the ct had to be pre-authorized etc. Any excuse not to pay.

Then Bronson wasnt part of the network, so they would only pay at 60% Then the oncologist wasnt in network, they would authorize to see a geriatric oncologist but not a pediatric oncologist. And since I have found the oncologist office did apply for network years ago. but cigna only authorizes one name in the entire office. They all bill under the same tax I.D. why aren't they all listed? Bronson applied and became part of Cigna's network October 1, 2008. They had no choice the other pediatric provider for the area discontinued pediatric services June 5th, 2008.

We go back to Bronson for testing every 3 monthes but as of yet cannot get Cigna to pay what they should. And every time you call they agree that it should be covered and then they dont pay. The reasons are numerous and will vary from operator to operator. The latest is no visits to the oncologist are covered because the dedectable hasnt been met! An Emergency room visit, the ambulance transfer to a children's hospital with an inpatient stay, and her deductible hasnt been met. It's unbelieveable. How they determine what to pay at 80% and what to pay at 60% I don't know. The anesthesiologist at Bronson was paid at 80% but the pathologist wasn't. The hospital wasn't and the oncologist wasn't (even though she is supposed to be in network). It's unbelievable.

The bills that have been left behind are becoming staggering. Over 5,000 dollars to Bronson for the June bill alone. And since then we have been back. She has to have Abdominal CT's every 3 monthes and the last time they did blood work and a bone survey. But since they say she hasn't met her deductible..... you get the picture. It was not my choice for my daughter to get cancer. But so far so good. At least she hasn't had to have Chemo. I wonder if she did, would Cigna deem that unnecessary also?

I am on the verge of being sent to collections and am trying to make payment, but I feel that Cigna should pay their fair share. I even applied for Childrens' Special Health care, which is a privately funded program with Michigan's Medicaid to help with the bills. But CSHCS won't pay until the insurance has paid the full amount of 80%. What do I do? I urge everyone and anyone DO NOT GET THIS INSURANCE! They are either truely incompetent or the policies to duck payment signal a coming collapse in the system. Then what happens to all who have previous exhisting conditions?

I received a collection notice concerning a Tel-Drug account, but have never received any medication from Tel-Drug. I had agreed to use Tel-Drug for my recurring perscriptions, but never actually received anything from them and totally forgot about the entire event (over the course of more than a year) until I received this collection notice.

I had Cigna insurance coverage when I had premature twins and they had to receive Synagis injections that prevent RSV. These injections were administered by my children's pediatrician and were sent to them by Cigna Tel-Drug. A few months after receiving these monthly injections, we received a bill from Cigna Tel-Drug for $4,769! The medical insurance coverage of Cigna was supposed to cover most of it, but this was the portion I was responsible for. Over the course of about a year I paid $3,294 out of pocket to Cigna Tel-Drug. We set up a monthly payment system with them.

This August I stopped receiving the monthly bills, so I assumed I had finally fulfilled my obligation. Today, Dec. 12, 2008, I received a bill from them for $1,303.59 due in full by Dec. 29, 2008. I called to inquire about this since I had not received a bill from them in some time. The customer service representative who would only identify herself to me as Claire was extremely rude with me as I tried to figure out why I had stopped receiving bills from them and why I was getting a large bill now. I asked if they could simply start sending me the monthly bills again (as they had neglected to keep doing) and she said no, because I should have kept sending them money even though I didn't get any bills! When I said I couldn't send money when I had no payment amount, no account number, or an address to send it to, her reply was, Well lady, I can hide bills just as well as you can!

I have never been so insulted by a customer service representative. I was so astonished that I asked her to repeat herself to make sure I heard her correctly. I then asked to speak to her supervisor and she put me on hold for at least five minutes. When she came back she said that her supervisor said there was nothing she could do and I had had better pay the bill in full by the end of the year. I asked to speak to the supervisor directly and she put me on hold for another five minutes. When she came back she said there was not a supervisor available and she would take my number and someone would call me back in 24 hours.

Because of Cigna Tel-Drug's incompetence in their billing department, and their failure to mail me a timely monthly statement each month, I now owe I large lump sum that I cannot pay out of pocket without using a credit card.

Cigna and Bi-Lo (if the customer doesn't ask, don't tell) billed us for medications at co-pay prices over and over again..even when the actual cash price was much less..they split the profit..we assume. Because of plant closing and unemployment we are paying an absurd COBRA that has few benefits. The cost of the premium just went up and benefits down.

I am emotionally hurt, physically drained, economically poorer, and my trust level has dropped to 0%. I have been speaking out to anyone else who will listen. I don't know what else to do. I feel so small.

My son is in need of a cranial helmet to help with a medical condition called plagiocephaly. This was caused by a condition called torticollis. A Predtermination was sent into our helthcare provide the above named Cigna on June 23 2008. They said they received it on June 25 2008 and it would take 30 Business days to process. I sat in a computer with no one reviewing it until July 29 2008.

So now they are telling me it will take 30 business days from July 29 2008 becausethat is when it got to the right place which is ridiculous. My son is suffering because they dropped the ball and took 23 business days to get the information to the right department. My son only has until 12 months of age to truely correct the problem and he is currently 6 months. Cigna has already wasted 2 months of precious time that he could have been getting the proper help. In the meantime they have given me the runaround and lied and shoved me around only to get no answers only more waiting while my childs head gets worse.

My son head is very noticeably crooked and misshapen. Also his torticollis has not gotten better because his head needs fixed so we can fix his neck. We have to take him to physical therapy once a week to try to help and pay out of pocket for that.

I am a diabetic since 8 months old. I began a new job in November of 2007, which also included receiving new healthcare benefits; being thru Cigna Healthcare. Since being introduced to their plan; I have been introduced to a document or healthcare title pre-existing condition, the first time I became aware was when I received a bill for $500. to cover the expenses I had incurred for supplies for my insulin pump. When I called Cigna they informed me that I would need to get a Certificate of Coverage,when I questioned why this would be necessary, I was informed to make sure that I did not become a diabetic between the time of my last health insurance and being taken on as a customer at Cigna. I would have to get a copy of my last health insurance coverage and fax it over to the claims department.

I completed this in a timely manner, within a week, because I needed to make a request to the previous insurance company, wait for the document to be mailed, and then I would have to fax it to Cigna, where they would then scan it into their system, from there it would take up to 10 business days for the system to be updated. I did not learn any of these facts until my third phone call. The second phone call that I made approximately two weeks after the first was to verify that the information had been received. I was informed that it had been received but that I needed to provide more proof. I explained that I had been told I only needed to prove that I had not become a diabetic in the interum between health insurances. I was then corrected. They needed proof that I had health insurance coverage for one continuous year; so that I could be released from the pre-existing condition, while doing this I also needed to show that there was no more than 61 days of a lapse of insurance.

The fourth time that I called to verify that I had sent the proper documentation, I was told that I needed to send more because I was 20 days short of showing a year of coverage. I responded by asking what would happen if I did not send any more documentation? I was told that I would be put in a hold, which means that every time my endocrinologist or any thing that appeared to be for my diabetic condition presented, a survey would be sent to the patient and to my doctor. My endocrinologists billing department-where I am a current patient for 12 years-called and told me that Cigna informed them that a survey had been sent out. I have to this day not received the survey even after requesting it be sent to me after converation number 4 with my health insurance company.

What has inspired me to write this is the second phone call I received today, once again from my endocrinologists office, where the billing supervisor spoke to Cigna and was told that; I refused to provide any additional information. When I asked: what happens if I don't send any more documentation? that was considered refusal. I called my health insurance company for the sixth time today and was told that all documentation was up to date and that the last time my dr's office called was two weeks ago; however, the office had called this morning. Finally, under the HIPAA compliance act which is supposed to protect the patient; states under the federal government that you cannot request an excess of six months of health insurance coverage. How is this Cigna Plan even offered to the public?

As a result of this situation I have had to use time designated for lunch to make calls to old insurance companies, fax documentation, and follow up. I have received bills totaling $700.00, one of the bills is about to go to collections. Stress is something that most diabetics try to avoid, this situation has now been going on for four months.

One medical care provider, who preferred not to contract with Cigna, submitted paperwork for transition of care for continuation of treatment. In essence, she informed Cigna she wanted to be able to treat me at in-network prices. This was approved. However, every time this provider submits her claim, it is denied and I am sent an explanation of benefits for costs that far exceed my actual costs. I have to speak with a CIGNA rep every other month to get this straightened out. No one seems to document my calls or be able to find the paperwork my provider has submitted twice already.

Luckily I was reimbursed once for charges I was billed for. But this is an on going saga with no end in sight.

I went to Rehab in December of of 07 from an addiction to percocet. I was given the meds by my pain management clinic. While i was in rehab i was given subaxone, it is a opiate blocker and pain medication. What it does is it blocks the recaptors in my brain so that i don't have any urges to use.

After i got out of rehab a few days after Christmas, 2 weeks after entering willingly i dropped of my perscripton for the subaxone, two days later it was ready. This time i dropped my perscripton off 2 1/2 weeks ago and i was told it would be ready in a day or two. I have called Cigna every day since i dropped it off, with every person telling me it will be ready tomorrow well it's been 2 1/2 weeks and I have still not gotten it.

I'm very depressed again, i need this medication to help me stay sober it is a very important med for me and now i'm struggling to stay sober. I don't understnad what is taken so long. My doctors office has called several times the pharmacy has called several times and still i'm without.

I had Cigna through my previous employer. Two years ago I was sent to a local hospital - Holly Cross Hospital for a few outpatient tests by my physician. Both, hospital and physician are part of Cignas network. Cigna is yet to pay the bill, which was initially $4,000.

The insurance wanted me to pay for the full amount ($4,000) stating the Hospital was not part of the network. But, even if the hospital was not, I had a PPO at the time, which means if the hospital WAS NOT part of the network Cigna would still have responsibilities towards the bill; instead of a full amount coverage it would have to pay 60%.

After almost 2 years of fight, I was able to get them to recognize the Hospital and pay part of the bill. I am still fighting to have the remaining balance paid for.

If you have a choice (i.e. insurance not offered through your employer) run away from this company, it's just not worth it makes several mistakes with payments, misleads consumer with incorrect & false explanation of benefits.

My name was sent to collection for the amount of $1,200

In 2007 cigna Hleath Insurance raised the rates of my group plan ( TEIGIT) that comes out of New York. My fellow TEIGIT members got our rates raised by 57%(1022 a month for me) and under 50 about 200% a month. I have applied to several individual plans and gotten rejected due to pre-existing conditions.

I have always felt that the rate hikes were due to something wrong with CIGNA CORPORATION and possible stock fraud etc. so they raised the health insurance member rates to off set alleged stock fraud. I found out yesterday , since I own a few shares of CIGNA stock that Cigna had a class action suit filed against them for alleged misrepresntaion of their computer transformation system and alleged artificial stock inflation of common stock from Mov. 1, 2001 to oct. 24, 2002. there is a proposed settlement that CIGNA would have to pay out 93 million dollars to the people who lost money when they bought and sold common stock during 2001-2002.

Now I beleive that to offset the costs of their calss action suit and allegations of stock fraud and a propsed settlement that CIGNA Health Insurance then raised their rates in California and other states enormously. And I as well as other people are suffering. Inother words to offset a loss of 93 million dollars Cigna corpororation is price -gouging consumers who have their helath insurance.

TEIGIT is a group opf guilds such as the Dramatist guild , people in entertainment and writing and not all of us are so succcessful that we can afford these Health insurance rate hikes. Do you hae an investigative journalist that would lookin to this matter?

I now have to pay $3081 a quatrer for my health insurance premiums and I only make about $2600 a month from part-time work, diability payments and a friend renting a room in my house. And when ever I applied to any other health plan as an individual I got rejected due to pre-exisiting conditions which are not fatal or contagious. this includes AARP's Hospital advantage plan, Aetna, And Midwest life Insurance of Tennessee.

I have wasted valuable time and energy trying rto get on other health plans and I also applied to two government plans which took a lot of time and paperwork and I don't know if they will accept or reject me. the point is that I complained to every governemnt agency about this and today again complained ans asked them to investigate wheter or not the Class action law suit against CIGNA or the alleged stock fraud is realtred to these enormous rate hikes by CIGNA Helath insurance here in California. I call it pulling an Enron.

I am tired of complaining to govt. agencies that do nothing and tired of the discrimination I get when I apply to private health incurance plans as an individual and I know I am not the only one in this boat.

are in the business of taking care of the health of the people!

But Cigna does not consider or don't care about individuals or group of people that needs insurance.

Cigna has the power and ability to increase premiums without any regards to the people.

Cigna increased the premium up to 300% this year!

Are they not making enough money?

This is a case of an increase in my premium without
notifying me. I was paying $1153 for the last year or more than that.
then all of a sudden this month, I have to pay $2095.10! That is a big jump from the amount I
was paying for no reason at all.
I was not abusing the plan or benefits nor was I

using it a lot for outrageous costs.

that is an increase of $939 which is outrageous!

the other members were using it a lot therefore, I have to pay for this... I am self-employed and I work to support myself and pay for this health insurance among other insurances I have to have.

But a $939+ increase is inhuman.

I work hard.

I had to go severa; days without medication, then finally paid the full price (well over $300) and will have to wait until reimbursement. Lost hours on the phone. The pharmacy lost hours on the phone.

I am a Cigna HealthCare PPO policy holder residing in NYC. I am writing to express my extreme frustration and dissatisfaction with Cigna. I've suffered a series of health mishaps in the last year and the process of trying to get reimbursed for my medical and prescription claims is an exercise in futility. Wait times on the phone are insufferably long, paperwork is lost, calls are not returned. Once a claim is finally received, the process of documentation is so mangled and inconsistent as to drive a sane person crazy. To wit, I began a series of medication in December and have yet to be reimbursed. The claim is not denied - but just sits in limbo.

Then, every time I call there is a different reason why the claim isn't paid, the customer service rep promises to check the inconsistencies and call me back. I receive a call-back roughly 50% of the time. In my latest conversation this morning, the rep says my claim is in limbo b/c the cost of the prescribed medicine is too high and my doctor failed to provide the necessary information. Yet, there is NO COST information required on the doctor's form, downloaded from the Cigna website.

Additionally, I have received ZERO communication on prescription reimbursements submitted beginning March 24, 2006. The claims are not even processed yet - nearly a month and a half after submission.

Cigna will not pay a claim because they cant find any information on a nonexistent preexisting condition... and are not even attempting to find the doctor that treated me....to see if I have had a preexisting condition. ....After over 7 yrs with no check-ups and no doctor's visits, I go to the ER once, and because there is no record of any physicians before that - they will not pay.

They continue to come up with excuses not to pay even though they are not at all valid and have informed me after I get the letter from the doctor (the doctor that seems to have rotated to another hospital and cannot be found), then there are more hoops I have to jump through. As soon as I track the doctor down to get the form filled out that they have sent me, no doubt they will say I have a preexisting condition based on telling the doctor that I urinate alot at night and have always - that might be considered a history of a condition and that is not even a condition. Many people complain that this company does not pay claims and that they may as well be wearing a black mask and a gun....

emotional stress from having to do their job by tracking down the doctor and jumping through a thousand hoops to get them to pay a claim, and financial stress from the claim being perptually unresolved, paying their monthly bills and receiving no service...these people are crooks.

I filed a claim for reimbursement that CIGNA started processeing on 8/14/2001. This claim is for speech therapy services provided by Rebecca Appelbaum from June 28 - July 28,2001 to my son,Justin. The total of the claim is $670.00. I specifically indicated on the claim form to have the check paid directly to me because I already paid the provider. In addition, the provider rellocated to another state and her whereabouts is unknown. I called CIGNA several times to follow up on the status of this claim (phone calls on 8/14, 8/16, 8/22, 8/28, 9/6) and everytime I reminded them to have the check payable to me.

On 9/18, the check was processed for $469 payable to the provider, Rebecca Appelbaum, and sent to the address indicated in her invoice.

I tried to call Rebecca Appelbaum at the phone numbers she had given me but all the numbers are disconnected. I heard that she rellocated somewhere in Florida. There is no way I can track her down to get the reimburesement from her. CIGNA is at fault because they did not perform due diligence in processing the check.

I have bad credit due to this outstanding bill. I've been harrassed by collection agencies. I have spent enormous amounts of time on this over these years. It caused me to become so disillusioned with and mistrusting of health insurance companies that I've been uninsured for the past year. I paid so much into Cigna while costing them so little, yet they still couldn't pay a mere $329. So I am uninsured, and recently was unexpectedly hospitalized resulting in an $8,000 bill.