Cigna Disability Insurance Reviews

It is very stressful not knowing when you will be paid during a time you shouldn't have to worry. To add to the stress Thanksgiving is next week and now I'm trying to figure out how to manage groceries and bills while taking care of a newborn. I hope no one has to go thru this. Cigna you are the reason for postpartum depression.

Scheduled my surgery, opened a claim with Cigna, only to find out NOTHING gets approved/denied until AFTER surgery. To me, this is so screwed up! I honestly wouldn't have gotten the surgery done if I would have known I was going to be denied. Some people don't have the luxury to take off a month with no sort of income. Cigna called me a week after my surgery then tell me that they need more info from my doctor due to my coverage not starting until June 2019, and any pre-existing treatments will cause this to be denied. Mind you, I WAS NOT TREATED FOR ANY OF IT, ONLY DIAGNOSED!!!

Well here we are, 1 month post surgery claim denied. I have had short term disability previously from AFLAC before having Cigna and have NEVER had this much grief. Cigna never really explained anything to me nor kept me in the loop on my claim. To me, it's definitely NOT worth paying the fee to have this company deny a self explanatory claim!

Almost 3 months now, my claim has been denied and I was advised to send in fax request for appeal. I called my dr again to have them resend a form. I called Cigna later to see if they got a fax from my dr today and lo and behold they did but it was missing stuff AGAIN!! I will be going to my dr in the morning and requesting the info myself to fax it myself so there hopefully will be no delay and I will call Cigna as soon as I know it is sent and I will demand they go to that fax machine and get it to be processed asap. If not they will hear from my attorney!! One thing I have learned from this experience is we are all just a number and $ between the drs and insurance. They are overworked and understaffed or just don’t care. Their bills are getting paid while we sit and pray our cars don’t get repossessed or we can’t afford to get our meds. It’s a shame we have to threaten with an attorney to get things done.

We then received second letter stating we owed $1,396.43, so I contacted the overpayment department to let them know we needed to make payment arrangements. I also informed the representative that my husband would be filing another claim very soon because a second surgery was needed and I needed to make sure the overpayment did not affect the new claim that would be filed very soon. She understood and offered me a reduced settlement amount of $698.22 if I could pay in full over the phone. I agreed to the settlement and made the payment over the phone.

My husband filed the another claim for his 2nd surgery and the payment we received was less an additional overpayment amount that was owed. Cigna did not keep their word and went back on the settlement offer of $698.22. They are stating that this money was owed to them even though they offered a settlement and I was very transparent that a new claim would be filed very soon. Per the claim manager, the settlement offer is even logged into the Cigna system but because the overpayment representative did not send out the paperwork for signature they were able to reverse the settlement offer and collect the overpayment amount in full.

In my opinion there were several mistakes made by Cigna:

4) Claim manager was notified twice (04/22/19 and 05/09/19) via email letting her know my husband had returned to work and EFT payments needed to stop.

I'm very disappointed in the way the way the claims were handled. Once a settlement offer is agreed upon and paid in full then the company should keep their word. There is no excuse for this unethical behavior. I will continue to fight until Cigna makes it right. I strongly believe my husband took the steps necessary to do what was right. I would expect Cigna to do the same. How many other insured's are getting treated this way? It is unacceptable and unethical.

Perhaps all insurance companies have it worked out the same, but we do not recommend Cigna. My husband's doctor moved and we are waiting another doctor to fill her place. In the meantime we received a threatening letter that it's our responsibility to provide a doctor update. The new doctor at the treatment center my husband goes to can not see my husband for 2 months and new doctors at other treatment centers are booked even further. That means we are threatened with no pay this month as scheduled. If we were unable to tap into my husband's IRA, we would have probably lost our home.

The money is rightfully owed to me and I am now in such a financial situation that I don’t know what to do and it’s making my migraines and anxiety through the ruff. They have no care or concern and I also am a single mother stressed about where my 5 year old son's next meal is going to come. I don’t have help and now my car note is behind and I’m getting threatening letters and I also can’t afford my meds any longer. My doctor has let Cigna know this and that I’m in need of my meds but they don’t care. I have paid weekly in to STD and LTD and have every right to be paid.

All this time I’m going without pay causing a huge hardship on me financially. I have doctor bills and appointments and need to eat and by medicines. After over a month they deny me!!!! I’m now trying to get an attorney and going to appeal going to try to sue. Lyme is very misunderstood and for some it’s done more damage than it may have to others. It’s not always an easy dose of antibiotics fix. Cigna is awful in my opinion.

Well, long story short I was denied because of the days I took off before my scheduled surgery date even though I made it clear that I was officially going to have my surgery on a specific date. I dont know why they act as if they are my employer. I was still an employee when I fully recovered from my surgery and even went back to work prematurely due to the denial of benefits. How was I supposed to pay any bills with no money coming in after my procedure. Keep in mind they are denying based on the fact that I took time off before my surgery and not on the actual date I put on my STD claim forms. My personal time should be no reason for denying me benefits. They find any reason to deny everyone. This practice should be looked into.

During this time still receiving letters also for more documentation. This went on for few weeks then around 3/29/19 received call from then case mgr Solomon threading to deny claim if certain form not received and he was rude saying I been out of work month and hadn't sent them any documentation which was not true. He only gave me three days to return form and doctor's notes for date never previously asked for that date was my last contact with Solomon. Later that called back Cigna to speak with customer advocate to demand someone tell me what documents do they need because I tired of making appointments and going back and forth to doctor to get completed. She stated they only needed behavioral health form and office notes from previous visit so went to office on 4/1 and got documents and faxed over with confirmation.

Then on 4/23 received called from Britney who I never heard from before that claim was being denied basically saying documentation doesn't support me not being able to do my job duties which they never asked me what they were. She told me I had two to decide if I wanted to appeal and I had to fax letter stating I wanted to appeal and include any additional documentation I had to be considered. I faxed letter and the doctor's notes and behavioral health form I already sent on 4/1/19 because she stated they were not on my file when it was reviewed.

When back to work on 5/2 I was informed by supervisor that my appeal was denied since 4/30 I didn't receive letter until postmarked date 5/3 that it was denied. I worked about a week when I sent back out on unpaid leave by employer because they determined I could no longer do all my job duties because of my disabilities (that Cigna denied my STD for) after requesting ADA accommodation on 4/30. So I have been on unpaid leave since 5/10/19 and from 2/22/19 to 5/2/9 b/c of Cigna denying my claim and about to lose health insurance.

This whole time I have had to nag my doctors. Either not enough information, the paperwork wasn't specific, they did not receive the fax, Cigna faxed the wrong number. This last time Ruth (case manager) actually said that my doctor did not note on how the impairments would impact daily function of living. They do this on purpose. To make you give up so they won't have to pay the claim. I have made a formal complaint on my case manager, informed my doctor of what Cigna is doing, and also added a family member to be able to discuss.

I have read through all of the reviews as well. These people will do ANYTHING to deny you money. This paperwork needs to be filled out, oh, we didn't tell you, we need your doctor notes. We have not received any paperwork from your doctor. Your doctor did not state something. ANY excuse. If anyone reads this and feels overwhelmed and wants to talk about it, please do because maybe if we all get together we can finally figure out how this company works and get the money we are entitled to. I'm not going to stop until I get what I paid for.

I contacted customer service and they verified receipt of the authorization form. Next, he said, they sent an invoice to Social Security in the amount of $38 for my medical records. Once again, I contacted Social Security office to verify what I was told. Guess what? I was told they never received an invoice and that they wouldn’t pay an invoice. Andrew claimed that the check was cashed and he was waiting on my records from the Social Security office. I emailed him and told him what I was told. Each time he change the date to buy more time. I’ve emailed and left a lot of messages for Andrew. One time, he said, he didn’t receive my email because of a firewall. I replied, I have a firewall too and yet I received his email. In fact, I was responding to an email he had just sent me.

I’ve asked him several times to send my denial letter since he said, he would deny my claim with the information he has. He hasn’t sent it yet but I know it’s coming. I have several health issues and he’s trying to tell me how I feel, what job I can do and pretty much my condition doesn’t warrant LTD. Andrew and his “medical team” don’t know me or the pain I’m in everyday. Until they walk a mile in my shoes, they can’t tell me anything. I’ve complained to my former employer about this being the worst insurance company on the planet. I was denied a procedure to help ease my back pain.

One month before surgery, Cigna closed my claim, stating there wasn't enough information to support my claim! I was supposed to roll over to LTD after May 2. I am at risk of losing my job, I'm about to be evicted, and constantly worried about power being shut off, etc. I have worked with the public for over 20 years and have never dealt with more rude people than their "customer advocates." They do not care if you are paid, nor do they care what the repercussions of not getting paid are to those who are desperately needing to pay bills. I'm ashamed that my company even uses them for their disability insurance claims.

I have been on top of everything this entire time. Making sure they are receiving records, calling for updates, spending time to make sure my doctor received the forms and were completing them. I have been dealing with this company since I went out of work in January. They paid me for about two months and I have been dealing with this since the end of March. By closing my case, it concerns me that if it is not open again, I will be unable to apply for long term disability if needed. The medical reasoning is there, they are just not thrilled with not receiving one paper on their time frame. I feel like they will do anything to close a case. It is a shame!

My medical records/history is very extensive, covering multiple surgeries and procedures in an attempt to try and make my conditions manageable; however they just keep getting worse. The pain is excruciating, it affects my sleeping, moods, mobility, relationships, everything in my life. It started out with Endometriosis in my mid early to mid-twenties, which ended up in a total Hysterectomy.

The Endometriosis developed into Fibromyalgia, which then also was complicated my Diffuse Small Fiber Neuropathy (diagnosed as a result of a Skin Punch Biopsy). This affects my bladder, causing incontinence which is unable to be helped by Rx medications as I am beyond that point. I can wear heavy adult protection, with a heavy pad, all meant for adults with Incontinence, but when stressed it has gone through all my protection, soaking my blue jeans, causing me to have to put a towel on my car seat to drive home. I have Mental and Cognitive issues, which are in large due to my Physical Conditions which are all predicted to stay the same or get worse. There is NO prognosis for the medical conditions to ever get better, and or improve.

From the voluminous amount of complaints by claimants about CIGNA on the Internet, I fully expect them to deny my claim as this is standard procedure for the company so their CEO, and VP's can make all the money they do being overpaid for denying valid claims as indicated by past State Insurance Department investigations, fines, rulings.

I have a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Physician, Rheumatologist, and Neuropsychologist who all support my disability and have written letters explaining the same along with what they are basing it on. I also have an Urologist who can support my Bladder/Incontinence issues, along with a prior Pain Management Doctor who after several procedures said there was nothing else he could do for me, as everything he could try was exhausted. I also provided a complete record from my prior Rheumatologist who I went to for years prior to my new one.

CIGNA (LINA) has immense amount of test results, history of countless failed procedures performed in an attempt to alleviate my pain and urinary issues with no success, record of past missed work, and medical history which all backs my claim as being legitimate. *It is amazing just how many times CIGNA claims to not have received documentation even though the medical provider or us have included the Incident Number with a cover sheet, and every other place we are sending that information has received it. Also how many times the Medical Examiners reviewing the documentation for CIGNA take only certain words or sentences from a claimants Medical Providers to bolster their case, IE CIGNA Cherry Picks what they want to use, and disregards what does not support CIGNA’s case.

For those suffering or those family members and friends going through this: I strongly encourage using this website as a means to voice your issues/concerns, along with writing your State Insurance Department and the Insurance Department for whatever state your disability policy was written in. Also writing the State Insurance Departments that previously investigated and fined CIGNA in the past Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Pennsylvania, as a means of letting those agencies know even though they cannot address your claim (if the policy and or state you live in is not in their jurisdiction) that things have not changed with CIGNA, so hopefully the States reinvestigate CIGNA and fine them again.

Your State Legislature, Local Official’s, News Agencies such as Daily Mail, CBS, NBC, ABC, ETC. are all worth writing, along with Social Media and CIGNA’s Executives (once you have your handling Reps Email Address then you should be able to figure out the Executive Email Addresses by using the same format). The more people that fight this Mega Company the more chance they will be held responsible for their crimes of greed, dishonesty, and Bad Faith Claims Handling all for The Powerful Almighty Dollar. CIGNA has a massive amount of Lawyers and Lobbyist to make sure the deck is stacked in their favor, so only through a mass effort can we hope to change Corporate America.

Now the last thing I was ensured my check would be directly deposited on a certain date into my account. When that date came there was no check in my account. I called the bank who informed they could not see any incoming deposits. I call my claims manager who then says, "Huh? It should be there." So after calling the bank again I call the claims manager once again. This time I am told, "Well it takes 24 hours to show up. Also your account was coded wrong. Your check should have been issued 5-7 days prior to the specific date. That way you had your money by the said date." So 24 hours later no check. I called the bank. Was given same info, "No can’t see any incoming either."

I called Cigna and spoke to a different representative who told me, "It takes 3-5 days after we release your check for it to show up in your account." I asked to speak to a supervisor. At 4:30 pm I had not heard back. I sent an email to my employer's representative who contacted Cigna and within 30 mins the supervisor called me. She said, "It takes 3-5 days." I asked why her staff did not tell me this and why was I told the check should have been issued the week before. I said, "It appears to me your staff lack training and are incompetent." She informed me that my case was coded wrong and I have been getting checks at the beginning of my benefit month. She said I am suppose to get at the end so as a result I will not be getting a check next month.

I asked how this was my fault, why do I have to suffer the consequences when her staff who are incompetent and don’t know their jobs are the ones who screwed up. She said, "Well we have to correct this." I said, "Yes. At my expense that isn’t right." All she could say was, "I am sorry. We will address this at the next meeting." I said, "Your sorries don’t put food on my table or pay my mortgage." I told her I will be filing a report with the BBB. My husband says to file a lawsuit for the overdrafts they caused as I was assured my check would be in my account and the mental anguish this has caused me.

Original Review: March 8, 2019

I have LTD through work from Cigna. I am an RN and have been a nurse for over 30 years. I have paid into this policy for well over a decade. When I finally need it they are so incompetent that I can not believe they have not been investigated and shut down. In the last year my psoriatic arthritis has become so bad that I can not walk without a cane. I had a total knee replacement and will need both hips done due to the joint damage. Hx of back fracture several years ago with severe pain and arthritis also. Severe Neuropathy in legs due to trauma from broken back. They say that they have not received things from your doctor BUT they lie.

I went to my employer (who is also my primary care facility) a large healthcare and hospital complex, to find out why they had not sent the information to Cigna. They showed me where they had in fact sent the information to Cigna on TWO different occasions. I now have to get my lawyer involved and I hopefully can sue them for the decades I paid into a policy that they don't seem interested in paying. I have read this policy several times and like I said I am an RN with over 30 years and have worked in every area of the hospital including doing physical evaluation for the hospitals Physical, Medicine and Rehab unit. I more than meet the requirements of the policy. ALSo if anyone hears of any class action lawsuits against Cigna please let me know!

Then of course it ended up in my medical digital file, so now the rest of my life my Doctors can access my personal Counseling notes. So what's next, they denied my claim after 5 years, and now want to subject me to a psych hack, that has so many complaints against him. It isn't funny, all for writing fake psych evaluations. Then they threaten you with a letter that states whatever the Hack finds they are obligated to report to anyone, so basically authorizing them to ruin your life. They are worse than the Mafia, do not waste your money.

I don't understand how Cigna can see that I go to several doctors per month, and still say I do not meet the requirements. I wonder with all that I have read from other complaints what exactly does qualify for you to get what you paid into? Maybe, death? Then who would you pay? I guess It would even be denied then? It is so sad that when you need assistance after working so hard and thinking that whatever illness you are dealing with, it will be a little easier knowing you have insurance to help out with the bills, just to find out, that Cigna will fight you tooth & nail just so they do not have to pay a claim. I think that a class action suit should be brought against this company asap! Sincerely, A Very Unhappy Customer.

I find it hard to believe that your "behavioral Health Specialists" if they knew what PTSD was would think 4 whole weeks would suffice to get back in the workforce. I could not focus, I could not be around people. I was locking myself in bathrooms and crying. I've turned around on the way to work due to anxiety being so high I had to turn around, I've missed quite a bit of time at every job I've had since discharge. And here's Cigna, saying, "Just go back to work Jeff." That is the most irresponsible and potentially dangerous solution, just so you guys can save a few bucks.

I am not sure if you're aware of the 2 decades of war we have been involved in. Many have answered the call, many I know personally have given their all. Millions upon millions of Veteran's coming home to OUR country, the one we're willing to give our ALL to, needing help. 1/4 are coming back with some level of PTSD. Suicide is at an all-time high for Marines. 22 a day. Mental health is a CRISIS, but "get back to work Jeff so we can save a few bucks." Just this week we've had 3 marines take their life. Stop giving them a hard time. PTSD is a real disease, stop treating it like a twisted freaking ankle.

Once I received Approval with no appeals from Social Security, I thought for sure they would approve me. Today, I received a package with 3 inches of records and another denial. This is progressive disease, it did not happen overnight as might happen with a car accident or a diagnosis of Cancer. Yet I absolutely can no longer work, but do not meet the criteria of my employer's plan.

After months of jumping through hoops, contacting every medical provider I've ever breathed on, and calling, emailing and leaving messages for these liars, I received a denial of coverage letter for: lumbago (which I actually had to look up to discover is a fancy schmancy way of saying lower back pain), depression and ** usage. As I previously stated, the depression has been life long and never once interfered with being a productive member of society, any and all drug use ceased SEVEN years ago, and what 45 year old doesn't experience lower back pain? But yet, I personally know of people who've had major back surgeries and eat ** meds like they're Skittles, that not only received coverage, but are currently sitting on their butts using it.

The only consolation I have, is seeing these reviews and how hard they are to get to acknowledge claims, now knowing I won't be another poor soul whose money they took. I will say this, the day will come, I'm sure, that I'll need to find individual coverage independent of a workplace offering, and it will NEVER be Cigna!!! And on another note, their dental coverage is crap, too. $2k yearly cap. That won't even cover a root canal and crown. I used to think they were one of the better providers, but now see I was either completely out of my mind wrong, or that they have taken a complete **. I will make SURE to alert ALL of my peers of their incompetence and unethical business practices. By word of mouth AND social media. I invite you to do the same, so that we may save the next innocent victim of their heinous greed and uncaring practices. And keep our hard earned money out of their blackhole pockets.

I also had to go back because I was getting angina again after the triple bypass. And they found that 2 arteries had fused together and closed so I had to go get a stent put in one of the veins so I’m only running on 2 arteries. So I get very short of breath and can’t sit or walk for a very long time. So I have been on long term disability and SSDI after doing tons of paperwork and seeing their Drs. and mine. Suddenly I was just cut off even though I am entitled to 1 1/2 more years of payments. No rhyme or reason. Case closed. I tried to talk with them but they said the same thing over and over, "Case closed." This place has a very bad reputation and I see why. As long as you're paying it in and not collecting they love you but when you have a claim they try everything they can to deny you.

I know it’s their job but omg I’m 64 years old now and denied my payments. Welcome to the old people’s world. I guess just disregard us after we turn so old that we don’t have to pay in anymore but do need some help. I mean after all I paid extra all that time just to get 60% instead of 50% and now nothing even though I can’t work. Case closed is all I told. Well I guess I better slow down taking my ** because I won’t be able to afford them anymore so probably just die of heart failure. Thanks Cigna. My grandchildren love you.

Original Review: Nov. 27, 2018

I have medical paperwork completed by my doctors. The claim manager at Pittsburgh has messed up the disability claim twice and now has cut my claim off. She first order a check and the amount was wrong so she canceled it. Then she authorized a check and the amount was incorrect. She has cut off my disability as she states I owe them $249 overpayment and she will not just make an adjustment on what they owe me. Furthermore, they are demanding all medical records, films, etc even though the doctor’s office completed all information.

I was in ICU for almost 4 days and in the hospital two weeks. I have doctor’s appointments with a cardiovascular surgeon and reoccurring appointments with my general physician. She will not approve my disability due to her own power trip and does not care about the fact that I am sick and paperwork was submitted. I did have paperwork submitted until off until 12/19/18 originally. I was paid one time for $521 up to 11/13/18.

Original Review: I've been out of work since the end of June 2018. I had grand-mal seizures. Had more in August to the point the Drs put tubes in my throat and nose. So my boss told me to go on short term. I also had a heart attack and a stent put in in March. I went back to work 3 days after I got out. I've had so many Drs appt and Cigna has wanted the Drs to give them updates every appt. Even if in July my Dr put for me to stay out till November. If they "SAY" they don't get the update. They hold back your short term... Two of my Drs now have sent info to them. Primary and Neurologist but case manager just says, "We didn't receive it. Have them send it again." Let me call them. Ask which dr is which. Now the lady has closed my case. Even though I still sit at home having seizures. No-one gives help when you try to figure this out. It is just more stress for the people who are already dealing with sickness and other things.

I have never missed worked or ever had to use any of these type services before, I think it’s a shame that all the comments I’ve read that this is a standard practice with Cigna. They’ve gotten paid by me for the last 11 years and now they want to fight me in getting the services I’ve paid for. This company should be looked at further and investigated. I’m praying I do find out soon, if not I’m out of luck. I can’t go back to work, and still have to find a way to pay for my meds.

I have the back of a 90 year old person at the age of 49. I chose to work because I want to not because I have to. I have never seen such incompetence as I have with this company. I went to Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children until I was 18. And here this company has a nurse telling me that I am able to stand 9 to 12 hours a day. REALLY!!! I am way over this incompetent company and on my way to seek legal counsel. Do not depend on Cigna to help you with anything even though they are paid to do so. I would challenge anyone of them at this company to work and live in my shoes for one day or one week they would never make it.

Finally after multiple calls and being on hold forever I asked the case manager to review my Dr info and figured out they never made the changes when I previously called them. It then took them 4 days to make the change in their system. Forms were finally sent. My Dr returned the forms the next day and again a week and a half later after multiple calls and insisting to speak to a supervisor they finally approved that payment and thru the end of the month.

At my next Dr appt we discussed my return to work. He preferred that I stay off work longer than what my STD would allow. I was able to get him to agree to let me go back when it ends and he agreed if I worked 1/2 days for 2 weeks after. I am having difficulty sitting for more than a few hours at a time and I have a desk job. He completed the forms and Cigna denied/closed my claim. They felt I should have gone back to work 2 weeks ago! So now I will have to live off of 1 week's pay for a month. I guess they know better than my Dr! I also should mention that my last pay (which is already reduced) was also shorted. I am appealing the denial. Wonder how long that will take. I would "NOT " recommend Cigna. Unfortunately they are the STD provider the co. I work for uses.

This morning (August 27) I got a call back from my hospital at 8am stating that there were no forms for me waiting there, but they did have my significant others forms in which we dropped off this past Friday. I attempted to call Cigna and my case worker who is typically always the one I speak to is now out of office on vacation so I have to speak with someone else.

Upon speaking to them I asked to again verify the fax number they have on file though I have done this already on 3 different occasions and been told that is the same number they have on file, today that was not the case. So I updated the fax number and now they should be faxing it over after I got very upset on the phone as no money is causing a strain on my life at home.

I’m behind in bills and barely able to eat because we are living off of one income and unable to get any kind of assistance because the income for our home is considered “too high”. I have vehicle payments on top of rent, among many other bills that need to be paid in which aren’t getting paid because when something went wrong on Cigna’s end they waited for me to call them instead of them calling me. This company has issues and they need to get them figured out as this is ruining my credit and good name not having the money I am supposed to be getting because 6 weeks later my claim is “still under review” and I can only hope that I never have to go through any of this again!

I was in contact with the claim specialist right away and overall, checks were submitted pretty much like clockwork without more than a short glitch or 2. I constantly kept his assigned claim rep in the loop as to his status via faxes and voicemail. My only real frustration came when his status changed to LTD. Most of that was because I was not aware that instead of weekly payments, payments would only be made monthly in "arrears", meaning, once his claim was approved, he would be paid once per month, at the end of that month. Correspondence from CIGNA comes very slowly, a letter dated 7/13/18 advising that his claim had been approved did not arrive here until 7/21/18. I have never had an issue with calling them and not receiving a return call.

Any information that they need that I can provide them - I always ask and offer. Such as, on the 16th when I spoke to his claim specialist Kelly, she told me the claim had been approved but they were waiting for 12 months worth of check stubs from his employer to calculate the "award". I asked if I could supply her with them, she was surprised by the offer, and said, "Sure you can, if you have access to them." So I did, and by the 19th we had our first payment on the LTD claim. Even though I make sure to follow up regularly and ask questions and have called CIGNA Health several times to get claims taken care of - I can't really say that anyone at CIGNA has been anything but helpful.

Sarah calls me once in the last month, I have tried to get a hold of her every single day, leaving voicemail after voicemail to no avail. I call again on 6/26 and 7/6 spoke to agents Elaine and Charlotte. Both told me to continue ignoring paperwork received from Nicki as Sarah was my case manager. I get paperwork from Nicki on July 2, telling me I have to fill out FMLA leave forms and submit them by July 8. I get this paperwork in the middle of a holiday week, what were they expecting me to do, I attempt to call my case manager Sarah again. Find out she's on vacation, talk to another agent, I am told to continue holding off on submitting any paperwork from Nicki until I can touch bases with Sarah. Finally she calls me last week, July 10, I missed her phone call by five minutes. I called her over and over again, left voicemails the whole week, she never returned my calls.

Finally Sarah calls me back on July 17, 2018. Apparently they have been unable to collect anything from Kaiser let alone get a hold of the medical records office. She says she's been leaving voicemail and sending out emails but no one has responded. (This turned out to be a lie, one, Kaiser has no voicemail option for the records office, two, Kaiser agent Darla told me my records have been accessed by CIGNA and all documents they've requested have been sent out.) She starts getting frustrated with me and says she's been trying to reach me, I only have two missed messages from her, one on June 15, and the other July 10, does that sound like she's been trying to reach me?

Furthermore, she probably doesn't realize that I know she's been on vacation and her voicemail stating she was "away from the office" changed to "I am on the phone with a client" on July 9. Trying to reach me? Yeah a bunch of malarkey. I almost lose it but I get my composure again after she stops yelling. I start from the top, "You're requesting paperwork, okay I will submit the paperwork now that I have clarification on what it is for. What about the paperwork from Nicki? She sent me FMLA documents, I don't qualify for that just yet." "Well if you don't qualify for that, ignore it then, don't send it in. Send me the documentation I am requesting via email, this is a courtesy we don't normally ask for documentation via email." She says she is going to reach out to Kaiser again and get a hold of them and resend the request (Again later I find out from Kaiser that they have been nothing but compliant with CIGNA).

I get this funny feeling like I am being duped. I call Nicki explain what happened with Sarah, she goes off on me. She starts yelling I need that paperwork, "Why didn't you call me when I sent it out to you?" Well for starters, you told me my case manager was Sarah when I reached out to you on June 15, 2018 and you told me yourself to ignore any paperwork from your end because your department which deals with Leaves isn't part of the Disability department and pending approval from Disability will mean that I get Leave. Furthermore, you told me to direct all questions to my case manager but Sarah's been on vacation and not returning any of my calls (I literally bombarded her voicemail on Friday 7/13, calling every hour).

Finally I've had enough of her attitude and ask to speak to her supervisor, Pat. I told him what's going on that CIGNA's agents have been giving me false and misleading information. That thanks to them telling me not to turn in paperwork from Nicki because it didn't apply to my case, and that I was told not to as recently as an hour ago by my own damn case manager Sarah, that I have missed a seemingly important deadline. Well apparently there is nothing that can be done about that. So basically I am screwed, since I've gone on leave on June 11, 2018 I have not received a penny from CIGNA. I've been lied to, mislead, told the wrong information and I am the one getting penalized for it. I told that Supervisor he better review the phone calls as they are all recorded right? I swear we need to file a class action lawsuit against this company.

A few times I had to pay someone to take me to the doctor's office to talk to them about sending notes and they kept telling me their office never received anything to respond to. After that was resolved it happened the next month, but this time they said the denial letter was sent out before they got that month's notes from the doctor and that the letters were usually late getting to me. Now the last month I was at home they are denying me again!!! This time because of doctor's notes and communication again.

The Cigna rep told me, kept telling me when I go back to work if I am put on part time they will pay the hours not work as part of an incentive to go back to work. Well, come back to work part time for a month and a half now and guess what? Denied again. So, finally I 3-way the doctor and Cigna which is my last resort before appealing if it is denied again. How am I supposed to get better with all this worry about pay that is due to me??? It is very stressful and full of migraines. This is the only insurance offered by my company so I have no choice! I'd give anything for Blue Cross Blue Shield!!! NO TO CIGNA.

Updated on 06/28/2018: Company response 6/27/18: "I can't tell you how sorry I am for your frustration surrounding your husband's disability claim. Please email me at LetUsHelpU@cigna.com so I can look into this and help." Your response 6/28/18: Ok TE, what would you like to know? Bottom line is they cut off his benefits without even informing us. I don't know how that is even legal. He has a very demanding and dangerous job. He HAS NOT been released from Dr's care at this point. Like I said previously, which your agent was aware of, his next Dr's appointment isn't until 7/12/18. Your company is putting us in a very bad situation, both financially and emotionally.

The reason I'm out of work now because I was ATTACKED & INJURED by a co worker for no reason. Not to mention my employer has reduced the last check to crumbs and when I called Payroll treated this veteran with TOTAL -- DISTAIN!!! Which I was responsible in case of any surprises; arranged years ago DISABILITY and I PAID CIGNA to deduct the cost out of my earned paycheck - weekly but Claudia Cigna's (Claims Manager)... after faxes still hell-bent on withholding my DISABILITY Benefit Payment that I'VE EARNED & PAID FOR BECAUSE... I'm the injured victim & hurt in pain suffering.

What's a man without money to live. Cigna's Claim Manager's Claudia ** is acting in bad faith claim while I can't pay my bills, affecting my good name/credit, medical health after my doctor keeps faxing medical documents Claudia required and requested SAME RECORDING' UNDER REVIEW... UNDER REVIEW, UNDER REVIEW. I've exhausted my savings and Claudia is ACTING IN BAD FAITH AS CLAIMS MANAGER! Thanks to my veterans friends, friends and loved ones especially thank you God!!!

Here it is mid June and I have received no money at all. I have no medical insurance. I have to beg and borrow to get my medication and make it to my psychiatrist visits. I sometimes wonder if Cigna is holding out hope that I just kill myself so I will leave them alone. I sometimes don’t know what to do. I just don’t know how much longer I can take it. I’m on my second appeal. Received a letter at the end of May saying they needed 45 more days to review my records. Dear Cigna why don’t you just provide me with a gun.

Cigna is using delay tactics. After this last doctor visit, 3/29/2018, as usual the information was sent in. Continuation of my disability has still not been approved. I have been told 3 different reasons by 3 different people why. So I have been without a check for 3 weeks. Short term disability is only 60% of one's salary. I have been lied to, my claims have been delayed; in my opinion these are delay tactics on the part of Cigna. The process they use to pay clients who are legitimately unable to temporarily work, are certainly not done hastily, or with any thought that it is the client's much needed income.

Updated on 04/18/2018: My last doctor appointment was 3/29/2018. After many attempts for information regarding my disability claim, I found out after several weeks my claim has been denied. This was after phone call after phone call, email after email, with no one giving me a straight answer about the delay and lack of answers. My job requires me to walk all day, and am currently in a short leg cast. This disability right now is my only income. Obviously I am going to appeal, which will take a long time, I can only imagine.

Perhaps Cigna didn’t like the wording of the doctor's note with his recommendation of no weight bearing for a few more weeks, or the X-ray report. The point is that when a claim is being denied, Cigna has no regard for a person's situation regarding anxiety, finances, etc. and that their delay in notification to the insured is atrocious. Each person I spoke to gave me a different answer to my questions. My claim manager was rarely ever available by phone, a call to a supervisor was only returned after I called a second time. This has been going on for weeks. So I am still in a situation of not being able to work, and have no income. This lack of communication is just inexcusable.

If there was a doubt that my claim would be denied and had they communicated this, I could have been proactive in getting more information from my doctor. It is apparent after reading other reviews on this site that I am not the only person dealing with the below poor customer service, horrible communication, and bad business practices of this company.

So my doctors agreed that it would do me good to take a break. It was my goal to take some time off, get my mind right, and comeback stronger. Cigna has been grossly incompetent and have only served to make my life worse. For starters, I filed for the STD in the second week of September. The paperwork didn't get to my doctor until early October. I made repeated calls to them. One call I was told that they were making my case a priority because it had not yet been worked yet. Then I called again and found that my caseworker was out of the office and Cigna had completely dropped the ball. And in between there were countless unreturned voicemails and caseworkers are seldom available.

Finally, my Doc gets my paperwork. My provider found the questions to be vague and unfocused on what really matters. Cigna did not want to know about any of the problems I've dealt with prior to filing the claim. As I said earlier, this anxiety is something that I've struggled with for a long time. I had to have a break. Late last week, I was told that one reason that Cigna could not approve it is because I had not had a serious incident related to stress and anxiety. What does that say about how mental health is treated in America? Was I supposed to have a breakdown before I get help?

So now, I'm at the point where my case has been escalated to Cigna's in house doctor. Their doctor has to review everything, and have a peer-to-peer meeting with my doctor. I'm worried about how long this escalation is going to last. I understand that my VA doctors have a lot on their plate too. There will be more phone tag, and it could still get denied. So at the end of November, I could be going to back to work broke and no better than I was before. If I could just get a week or two to deal with myself and not have to worry about all this Cigna stuff. I sincerely feel that Cigna is only after taking care of themselves. It's not like I need a year off, just a short time to deal with some mental challenges that I'm facing. We'll see how it goes.

I can say that much of what others stated has been the same for me. Promised callbacks never received, multiple people handling claim, etc. My psychologist even stated that she has all the paperwork she submitted and did a peer to peer review and was told all needed information was taken. Still fighting to get appeal approved. Meanwhile they are requesting money back and have stopped paying any benefits. This all has had a negative effect on my condition. Sure seems that I have had the same issues as many other people. I believe this is their way to not pay. Overwhelm people with more and more problems til they break.

Original Review: Oct. 10, 2017

Go to glassdoor.com and see what Cigna employees say about the company - it will help you understand why you should NEVER have anything to do with this company. I work for a large company and so many of us have complained that our company is changing to a different short term disability insurance company. After filing my claim, Cigna changed my case manager 3 times - each one lasted about a month. Expect to have your doctor have to resubmit your claims multiple times because Cigna loses the submissions.

When they finally process your claim they will tell you the check is on its way - but that is a lie. You can expect to call Cigna multiple times to ask why you have not received your check and each time they will promise it is on its way - expect each check to be at least a month. Also expect your account to be lost and to be assigned a new incident number, which will cause further delays in processing your claim. Just avoid this company if possible, theirs is a culture of incompetence and it starts with upper management. Thank God my company is dropping Cigna.

I am in the process for appeal but I will probably be denied because they don't believe in mental disabilities or learning disabilities. Apparently during the time I was off I'm not allowed to be tested for my disability. I just found out why I was rejected. My doctor said I might be able to go back to work but my meds were not even changed yet she just gave me the option. They also thought since I took showers I was able to come back to work. They also said I didn't show enough psychotic tendencies to be approved when I was showing severe depression. I am still in the final appeal process but I will probably be denied and I will probably lose my job. Thanks Cigna!???

I hired Emily ** out of Cleveland and she got me approved, she said it's a must to getting any insurance to pay & or do what they are supposed to do. I've been getting my L.t.d for 2 years now and it's been stressful. I have to witnessed their lying more than a few times stating my doctors changed their diagnosis, and I had no problem getting those very angry doctors to write a letter to that fact, they totally called them out. And now just in the past 7 months they have relentlessly continue to ask for an update of my medical records and wanting doctor's to fill out physical assessment forms, I've got 2 in Aug.

This morning I called an attorney and he said they can do that but it should lighten up after 2 year mark then they will probably offer you another buyout, oh! In June they offered me far less than half to end my benefits. This does want to make you give up and the attorney said that's what they're counting on. FYI there's a clause that says they don't have to payout L.t.d for those with a mental disability, I read that this morning. Best to all of you! And God Bless.

I called Ms Kimberly numerous of times and never got her but I talked to a lot of nice representatives throughout the process, now I had my son on 6/18/17 and called Cigna to report that and of course still no payment had been made but I finally talked to Kimberly. She was so rude to me for no reason. I asked her to transfer me to her supervisor. I really hope that the company records those calls because she basically told me that I will not be approved for the time before but only the after birth. I had to find out from her supervisor why and I made sure I got the correct paperwork sent in. My doctor sent the paperwork in numerous of times and finally a rep saw it in the system for 8/7/17 and told me to give Kimberly 3 business days to process it.

I called back on today which is 8/21/17 and spoke with another young lady and she stated she would email Kimberly and her supervisor Tracy to ensure I got a call back today and I did!! But again she was rude. Did not state who she was when she called back, just stated she was a rep from Cigna. I ask twice who was I speaking with before she told me it was her... This was my second time in three months that I talked to my actually claims rep... Oh and not to mention I have to wait another 3 business days to get an answer.

I sent my initial claim paperwork four weeks ago, and when you do so, they say that a decision will be made in "3 business days." What they mean is that once the medical staff has every answer to every possible minuscule question they have, they can make a decision in 3 business days. And according to the other reviews, they could hold you in limbo for months with this back and forth until that happens. And you'll probably get denied.

My doctor himself is sick of dealing with the constant requests from Cigna and has said he's going to try to speak with them himself to get them off my back. I've been out of work for a while now. I have no more money, I have bills to pay, food to buy, and the stress is making it all worse physically and emotionally. I'm about to go back to work because I'm feeling better, but I don't know what I'd do if I weren't feeling better. I don't think I can deal with these Cigna folks for another minute.

Since I have no income, I have raided my savings - soon that will run out. I will be returning to work - against medical advice - and now will not have the hip surgery due to Cigna not paying me anything. I have told Cigna that any further damage or injury at work or related to traveling 40 min to and from work, will be on them. I have reached out to an attorney at this point. There needs to be a class action lawsuit against Cigna - maybe if they have to pay another 73 million in damages, that might cause them to rethink business practices.

NEVER, got a call about the employer responded. Every doctor I have has completed notation that I cannot work and my condition is severe. "No medical support." They prolonged denying me by indicating I am under review. Sent all medical reports. What a waste time and money. The case managers are the worse ever. The others who answer the phone are more helpful than the case managers. The case managers are nonchalant. I had to call them for information. I left so many messages it is disturbing and got little to no callbacks.

When I did finally get someone (case manager) she let me know she will call me when she gets an update. Ignorant way of saying I am calling too much and give me a break. I was informed I can appeal. Why, to be treated bad and to be disregarded as a human being? If it took two months to be denied how many years would it take for an appeal. My experience has been horrible with the case managers. The case managers are playing the role of God with folk's lives. Two MONTHS to DENY over concrete medical records.

I filed for short term disability in which I paid for years. I did all the paperwork and sent the paperwork to my doctors. My ob-gyn was the main doctor whom took me out of work. So, I had her sign papers left and right. Redo her notes because "They were incomplete." "Not enough info." So by the time I talked to someone other than through email I was going on to be 8 months pregnant. With the loss of income, a new baby on the way and losing my job pretty much was ruining our lives. The lady handling my case was trying to blame it on workman comp because I said I was stressed out... Wouldn't you be?

Cigna kept sending us bills to pay the insurance so we could keep it while I was on FMLA. So, we paid it. It included std. Well they denied me completely. They could care less about you. Me. The baby. My other son. My family. 3 weeks before I had the baby I had to file for Medicaid. They decided to cancel insurance on me. Along with no payment. They need more than an investigation. They need to be shut down. It should be illegal what they're doing to people.

Here's where it gets fun - my employer no longer employs Cigna so why would this con-artist scam-running JV insurance company care about my claim? Short answer; they don't and they didn't and they have greatly affected my life by pure laziness and lack of any sort of humanity. STAY AWAY. This company is fueled by profit and run by heartless criminals. Have you seen the Christmas movie, "Scrooge"? You'll meet the unchanged Scrooge the second your claim hits a desk at Cigna. They're evil and incompetent and should never ever be allowed to determine the outcome of someone's life. Shame on you Cigna. Shame.

Then you are made to feel you are READY TO WORK. OK, I went back. Only to face following diagnosis that would require total hysterectomy due to ER/PR status of Tumor. To get the surgery I must have insurance, to have insurance and provisions under FMLA... I had to postpone surgery for 7 months! May 2012 Total Radical Hysterectomy. Surgery completed, discharge from hospital 7 days later. Once again start never ending HOOP jumping to secure STD so that I can feed kids and pay for Health insurance. Cigna continues to require documentation from doctors over and over again. Start taking Chemo by mouth. Day in and out worrying what next and when weekly check to arrive. Call Cigna they state check sent, They are in Pittsburgh. I am in Cleveland, was check sent via CHINA?

Radiation kicked my butt, estrogen blocker begins to cause joint pain, MORE fatigue and cognitive/memory issues. Cigna case worker not worried or concerned that I too care for patients and am having great difficulty performing my duties and responsibilities. Wondering how I am going to manage when every time I do a foot check on a patient I can't get back up! Regardless of the fact that I can no longer sleep in bed due to pain from partial mastectomy and radiation which I thought was causing me to fall asleep when I sat down or stopped at a Red Traffic Light!!!

GO BACK TO WORK... What else could I do: seemed no one cared that I was having problems functioning, EXCEPT FOR MY PATIENTS WHO SAW THE RAPID DECLINE IN MY HEALTH. Went back to work, Sept. 2012. I had approximately 10-13 doctor appointments a month. New diagnosis, Autonomic Failure, Syncope with SVT's, Narcolepsy, Hypotension, Multiple distributions of Micro-vascular Ischemic areas on my brain. Not to worry though, still pushing and trying to be the best I could be. AND THEN, collapse at work, June 26th 2013. My heart said NO MORE, the doctors said NO MORE, and my children and friends continued to watch my health decline. Cigna, oh Cigna, more hoops and then they provided me with Advantage 2000 to get Social Security right before I was to change to LTD.

December 2013, LTD paid by Cigna. It took all I had to keep up with their demands and for myself and my doctors to keep calm every time told that Cigna did not receive needed documentation. My Social Security was approved 3 months after application. That's when Cigna wrote to tell me they over paid and now I had to pay them because I received my Social Security ( even though their Attorneys from Advantage 2000 took $7,500 of my back Social Security payment). June 2014, Heart not wanting to function properly, many hospitalizations since began LTD. Now having to have medical device placed in chest, Not To Worry... Have phone in hospital when receive call from Cigna telling me they are reviewing my case and I did not call regarding letter they sent week before!

I tell case manager that I was in hospital, response from case manager "You need to prove that!" So I did. My doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in disbelief on the lack of Case Management by Cigna and their total lack of accepting medical documentation and the fact that no doctor has a crystal ball and would be willing to give definitive date of potential to return back to work. Nor do they accept a trained medical professional who has consistently treated the patient with Cigna insurance, when they state they can no longer work permanently!

Not over yet. July 28th 2014, the lump I felt in my breast AGAIN, Not my IMAGINATION! Biopsy August 4th, Once Again Breast Cancer following radiation and Aromatase Inhibitors! OH WAIT TIME TO REVIEW MY CASE!!! September 20th 2014. Double Modified Mastectomy. October 2014, revision of surgical line left chest wall. November 2014, ulceration of expander left side need to take addition IV Antibiotics. January 1st 2015 Emergency Surgery to remove contaminated left breast expander. The whole time I was going through these procedures and recovery I had to worry about CIGNA approving my on going LTD.

April 2015 re-constructor of left chest wall and right breast with DIEP surgery. My case manager from CIGNA Heather, was only part-time and I could never get hold of her. Left message after message and talked to others on her team regarding late checks and inability to get needed cancer medications. Released from Hospital 13 days later only to return 40 hours later with surgical infection requiring debridement and a Jugular Line for IV antibiotics for 3 months. Shortly following removal of 6 drains and jugular line I received letter from Cigna stating that my LTD benefits would end November 15th 2015.

I opened that letter while waiting for 7th doctor appointment, it was the 6th of November. I broke down in the waiting room, the stress and emotional response triggered my Autonomic Failure, I awoke in the ER of the Hospital. I was unable to reach Heather at Cigna because she only worked 3 days a week until 2:30. No one else could provide information and they would give her a message. My message was not well thought, I had problems talking through the tears and frustration. Since I was no longer able to drive, be alone in home or shower without supervision; my ability to organize all they requested was lacking too. I began emailing all records I could download from MYCHART at the Cleveland Clinic, I called my increasing long list of regular medical specialist I saw on a more than regular basis.

Many provided documentation, however Cigna used only the Severe Depression and Anxiety reported by Psychologist and Cancer Center Psychiatrists that I saw following every appointment to the cancer center 4 times a month. At the time I did not realize they, CIGNA, did this so they could refuse to continue to paying LTD 12 months later! January 3rd 2017. CIGNA sends denial letter of future LTD Benefits. Forgot to mention ECN set up two IME appointments months earlier. The doctor to evaluate FCN capacity had no expertise in anything. We talked about how he and his nurse wife have to care for 93 year old father. That guy listened to breathing sounds and heart. THAT WAS IT. Yet he reported that he did full ROS including bilateral strength, reflexes and such. TOO BAD I WAS IN A CAST RELATED TO OSTEOPOROSIS and total joint destruction of my right ankle.

He reported that he tested bilateral deep tendon reflexes in lower legs, Achilles tendons were good and I could stoop, crawl and dance! JK... No dancing. He also stated that I could not drive or balance. That was it, never mind a diagnosis list over a page long and medications out the ying-yang. Oh sure a nurse on heavy pain medication who can drop any moment is just what is needed in a doctors office, hospital or as stated TRIAGE CALLING! Since the denial I have been diagnosed with Autoimmune Disorders including Sogrens disorder and Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoporosis, to which the bisphosphonates used to treat. I cannot take due to increased chance of secondary cancers. Secondary Cancers that already have high risk of developing because of 3 prior diagnoses, 2 rounds of chemo and radiation and hormone therapy!

I have been diagnosed with further late effects of chemo and radiation, have not been able to complete reconstruction because of auto immune disorders and am looking at further biopsies due to suspicious lesion on spine. Not to mention stenosis of spine with bone spurs, loss of height and bulging discs. I go nowhere except to therapy and doctor appointments. Due to CIGNA stating that I could do something (an MEDIUM OCCUPATION to boot) I have not been able to go to all appointments or obtain needed medications even though I am on medicare and medicaid. The co-pay on 22 medications is more than I have. Medical evidence with the aid of MRI's, CT's, Bone Scans, Surgical and pathology reports, letters from gynecology oncologist, cardiology biometrics, cardiology vascular and cardiology oncology are pushed aside by a quack that CIGNA hires and pays to say that I can now work?

Even their paid IME report by their own neuropsychologist stated due to fatigue and loss of executive functions, driving ability and memory I would be unable to perform any occupation. However, Cigna decided that the doctor they chose who examined me, was wrong too and then wanted me to see another neuro psych that they probably paid for the right answers before. But due to eye surgery for Glaucoma I could not attend the third IME they wanted so they said I did not cooperate! Like every other person who wrote a review, I had to obtain an attorney. However, I have read case law and found for someone with years to go before 65 years of age, this could be the first of many fights to obtain the long term disability payments from CIGNA.

I don't understand how Cigna can have so many lawsuits related to improper denial of disability benefits OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Why can they push us to collect SSDI from government when we paid to bet against ourselves for a "false protection" for our families should something terrible happen to us that made it impossible to work? Not a wonder why the Social Security Disability System is going to go belly up. The Rich get richer and the poor get DEAD. This is abuse of the social security agency by BIG INSURANCE. I lost count on the number of justified complaints and law suits. Where are the class action lawyers, for it seems that this is one company that justifies the fines and lawsuits by the rest of us suckers who believe that if we could not work we would be protected by our long term disability policy with CIGNA.

President Trump and the social security admin along with the states need to take a look at the deceptive policies of big insurance companies and investigate the abuse the insurance providers are handing out to hard working Americans. We need to stand up and speak out together!!! Cigna needs to pay for the abuse, stress and financial destruction it has caused those who bought into their bogus insurance policies and fleecing of the social security system. See you in court soon, Cigna, with all my pink sisters watching on! Can't scare a dead woman walking!

My employer has been a dream to work with and they have lived up to their promises and I was covered under short term and although I went through hoops, lost my place of residence in the process of waiting a month for a check, all Cigna would do was offer the same redundant response, "We are so sorry for your loss and what you have to go through, rest assured you are not the only one who goes through this". Really? That is the explanation I received for losing my home, and if that wasn't bad enough my condition worsened, I was diagnosed with some pretty catastrophic disease processes and so instead of going back to work in the time frame I had intended my physicians collectively agreed I needed more time, the streets Cigna alone was causing me was actually exacerbating my symptoms, more seizures, more hospitalizations.

As it was time for me to transition from Short Term Disability to Long Term Disability, I knew for sure after all the hell and hoops I had to go through for a plan my job covered I surely wouldn't have to go through the same, right? Wrong, I had to jump through more hoops, go through more paperwork, submit more things and the kicker is, I paid additional for this protection. All to be denied for that one straw they searched diligently for. A pre-existing condition for seizures all because I was on a medication to treat nerve pain 3 years prior to me having a seizure but this medicine can also be treated for seizures.

The kicker is Cigna provided me a time period they were looking at to determine a pre-existing condition and my 1st seizure did not occur until 3 years and 3 months after this time period. It is still used to deny payment because I guess I should have known I was going to be diagnosed with and have a seizure in the future. What is even more egregious is that all the paperwork substantiated nerve pain, all doctor notes, hospital records indicate this but Cigna will not have a problem taking your money each month in a premium yet will deny what is due to you because of a fictional pre-existing condition.

Thanks to Cigna, and their dishonest practices and deceptive coverages by weeks end I am at risk of losing my car, and my storage, remember already lost my residence. I have no funds for food, medication co-pays and yet they wish me the best in my recovery. I promise you I will spend every waking moment of everyday to inform the public that these coverages we pay into really aren't designed to pay out when you need it the most. Cigna, has yet to the right thing and as Open enrollment is right around the corner it is my mission to inform to protect, promote, improve the health of the people insured by insurance companies such as Cigna who offer all of these wonderful additional coverages that are designed to deny what appears at least 90% of their customers.

Cigna should be ashamed and I will not be ashamed right along with them by keeping my mouth posed, or these fingers from typing I will ask that every group I post in will share million times over so those out there like me, hard working, committed to doing the right thing doesn't get swindled by the multi-million dollar companies taking advantage of someone especially in their most vulnerable and dire time of illness. Waiting on reimbursement from a plan you paid into for protection for absurd, far fetched reasons is just unacceptable, and will no longer be swept under the rug. I will expose as much as I can before others make the same mistake as I did in paying for a coverage not designed to cover me.

They canceled last time because doctor didn't cross her T's. ** seriously... I can't stand Cigna and furthermore I hope they fall off the face of the earth. No wonder Anthem don't want your dumb **!! Cigna is a ** class trash company!! I have the names of your people I've talked to and if your company don't start to get their ** I will absolutely contact the media, every newspaper and every review website I can!!! Us working class are going to fight back! Even if I have to start a petition!!

On Friday 4/7/17, Cigna called me to tell me that my case had been reviewed by a Special Team of people based on the requested Physician Notes of my Rheumatologist. The Cigna Representative then said that this Special Team concluded that based on the Physician Notes, my education (Ph.D. Psychology), and the fact that I can lift up to 10 lbs, I could be working a job that is sedentary. I then asked, "how can you come to this conclusion when one of my problems with work was that it was painful for me to sit or stand for long periods of time?" I told him that lying down on a heating pad is most helpful. I explained that my medicines cause me to be sleepy and drowsy, my medicines have not changed, and my symptoms like fatigue had not changed.

I asked them why they were doing this to me. My lab work shows that I definitely have autoimmune problems & problems with fibromyalgia. I explained to him, that If I could be working, I would be, because I've lost half of my 6 figure income, my home, and so much more. I'm really upset for 2 reasons. 1. The Physician Notes state that I complain that I can't stand or sit for long period of time without pain, medicines cause sedation, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and all my other complaints. 2. I will no longer be able to struggle to pay my COBRA Medical Insurance with BCBS of Arizona. I've struggled to pay the $880 premium for about 16 months. As of May, 2017, I lost it forever.

(hypothyroidism), and should never be without insurance. If something catastrophic happens, I don't know what I will do. I can't afford my ** 2x per day which used to be $4 per refill. Barely enough money for pain meds, stomach meds, & thyroid med. I'm so mad and upset with Cigna for unnecessarily putting me in the position to lose my health insurance and have no money coming in. I have embarrassingly had to file for food stamps. My Social Security Disability case could take up to 2 years to receive a hearing. It's so depressing. With the status of Health Care Insurance in America, I've been put into a life-threatening and life-changing position.

I have retained an ERISA Attorney with the intent to get my Cigna Long Term Disability benefits back. But, angrily I say that I will never be able to get my COBRA benefits back. Also, I might not qualify for TrumpCare because I have pre-existing conditions. Medicaid?... Who knows what's going on with that. I would like to share my story because I hope that it helps someone in this world so that insurance companies like Cigna can be exposed for causing harm to sick people... sick paying customers. Based on my online research, I found other people with a similar experience. This is repetitive behavior toward the sick that has caused a domino effect of damages. I hope for a Class Action Lawsuit one day soon. Please help us...

Updated on 08/19/2017: I did get a response from Cigna via email and a call a few days after my complaint posted, with no immediate relief. So, I continue to be filled with extreme Anger, Frustration, and Distress. Through all that I have been going through with my illness, Cigna still has not reinstated my benefits. I have been extremely ill with what I thought was a flare from the Connective Tissue Disease/Fibromyalgia. Oh NO!!! As of July 26, 2017, a Dermatologist diagnosed me with Lupus. For right now, it is Discoid Lupus Erythematosus but there are other tests and medicines that I need to get done and because of Cigna’s INCOMPETENCE and Profit-seeking GREEDINESS, I was denied benefits that was proven in writing by my MEDICAL TEAM’S assessment and documentation for 14 + MONTHS that have met their criteria and I don't have the MONEY to get MEDICAL CARE.

I have to WAIT 3-4 MONTHS for and SSI APPLICATION for MEDICAID!!! THIS IS WRONG!!! The loss of my COBRA is DAMAGING to my HEALTH! Cigna is DAMAGING my HEALTH!!! The state of South Carolina and I’m sure there are many others need HELP. People are damaged and emotionally distressed!!! ERISA attorneys can only do so much and they get ½ of your Back Pay or 1/3 of your Settlement if you win… but that’s just NOT FAIR!!! Cigna should have to for the fees of the ERISA Attorney!!! THE PATIENT needs all of their money… ALL OF IT!!! I have a great chance to get my COBRA back if I get my Cigna Benefits reinstated, but I'm still waiting on relief!!!

Cigna should have to pay for the fees of my ERISA Attorney!!! THE PATIENT NEEDS ALL OF THEIR MONEY… ALL OF IT!!! I want to be REIMBURSED for ATTORNEY'S fees, Money out of my pocket that I have to borrow for doctor appointments and medicines... but not all of my medicines. I CAN'T afford them!!! Food Stamps only buys food and I'm too sick on some days to eat!!! I'm trying not to be homeless.

Please HELP ME/US in the state of South Carolina to follow the suit of California and others to get a Class Action Lawsuit against Cigna. I will not STOP until I get justice!!! I have read the Cigna Class Action Settlements. I am a prime example of their previous violations and I have proof. I already have my written proof. Please HELP ME/US in the state of South Carolina to follow the suit of California and others to get a Class Action Lawsuit against Cigna. I will not STOP until I get justice!!!

They also never offered transportation. The day of the appointment came around and I had blisters on my residual limb. I was unable to drive and had no other way to get to the appointment that was an hr and a half away from my appointment. I canceled and they immediately cut my disability on March 21 2017 and they've been running me around ever since. They won't return my e-mails or calls. They didn't even request my medical records from my Dr.'s this year. They canceled me without warning. I have absolutely no income at all. I have called and wrote. By law they have to release my records that they made their judgments on. They still have not sent them.

I am unable to do my job or any other both mentally and physically at this time. I am still learning to get around. I cannot get any help from anyone there, even though I've been told to send my records and notes in for a new review. I am so frustrated. I'm an amputee with a lot of problems. There is absolutely no reason for me not to have my disability check and I've proven it time and time again. I guess it's time to get an attorney. I see they've been sued over and over and the insured people have won. I sent this to my rep March 29 I am super super suicidal thru all of this and I haven't found a doctor out here yet. I couldn't get to it even if I did.

I received the letter you sent. Right off the bat it says if I am unable to earn 80% of my indexed earnings. I'm not exactly sure what that is but I can't even work at a gas station right now. I found the medical report from when I went to see Dr. ** on 2-27-17. I also seen Dr. ** on 2-27-17. I sent you an email giving you my shrinks information the very first time I seen her. 2-21-17 I'm attaching everything I've personally found so that it will make more sense (hopefully). I also sent an e-mail to let you know that I was going to see Dr. ** because United Healthcare wanted me to see her again to TRY and get my prosthetic approved so that I can hopefully start to lead a normal life.

Dr. ** noted the same in her records from 2-21-17. The office manager told me these records were never even requested by Cigna. Neither were Dr. ** or Dr. Sharon **. I also spoke with Yankee bionics and they said they've never been contacted by Cigna either this year or since I emailed you about the appointments. I spoke with 3 different people at ECN and followed up with e-mails for the appointments because my mental issues make it very difficult for me to remember information. I like to put everything in writing to make sure we're all on the same page. It's really hard to keep all of this paperwork together but I think my friend has found it all. ECN never offered a ride out here.

The appointment was scheduled an hour or more away depending on traffic. With my body being the way it is. I never know from 1 day to the next or 1 hour to the next if I'm going to be able to walk, drive, crawl, focus. I'm working hard to get better but without money for medication and gas to get to doctors and support groups I'll be like this even longer. The thought terrifies me to the point that I would rather die. I feel so helpless. I've tried to do everything I can possibly do including follow up with e-mails just to make sure we're communicating. Neither ECN or Cigna sent me any documentation about losing my benefits if I was unable to make it to that doctor appointment that they set up. It says that I did not provide a reasonable excuse.

I e-mailed & I called to let them know that I couldn't make it because I had no transportation. I couldn't drive because I had blisters on my stump and I couldn't put my prosthetic on because it doesn't fit right anyway and it sure wouldn't go on my stump (leg) like that. I let them know that I was stuck. Blisters lead to infections and infections lead to more amputation. I'm going to attach everything that I've found. The attorney said I may be able to get Cigna to reexamine their decision with all the information I'm providing and possible continue my benefits like they should be.

Everything I have proves I'm disabled and the calls should be able to be pulled at ECN clarifying what I was told and that I was never told about losing my benefits if I missed the appointment. I was never offered a ride and I never received any of that in writing. I'm frazzled, scared and they've just caused more mental issues than what I had before. All this was so sudden with no warning and I'm about to be kicked out of my home.

Cigna 3 months to look at my claim but gives me two days to get the required information. Plus numerous calls to the claim adjuster and no response back. I can't even tell you how I just want to drop a bunch of swear words right now. I am so upset. This company seriously should be investigated for fraud. Just read others people's comments. I truly feel for them. They are in the same position as me. And as far as Cigna is concerned I will see you in court. My case is solid.

Updated on 08/19/2017: Just following up on a review I gave Cigna and where my case is now. Nothing has changed and they closed my case. After I wrote my first complaint a case manager reached out to me told me he would help me through the whole process and what to do. Said call him direct anytime. After the first call that he placed he never answered or returned my call from me or my wife three times. In fact we have not got a hold of him since he called us. Just yesterday I now receive a letter from their compliance specialist. Basically his letter is just detailing previous conversations and some of the medical conditions. Also stating we need to file an appeal. Their case nurse is making the call on denying me my disability. It's funny but not. Two doctors state in their notes that I should not be working period. I have mental impairments from a head injury that have left me with the inability to work.

I believe unless you can't pick up a pencil you will be denied from this company. Well back to my point of this part of my ongoing complaint. This compliance specialist also at the bottom of the letter said to call him for further discussion or questions. No answer voice mail. After trying to work with this company I can tell you this. I have been lied to over and over. No returned phone calls, been told by case manager he would help with whatever he could help with. Can't get hold him. And now they're sending letters instead of calling me direct. Seems this company goes out of their way to avoid helping with claims face to face.

So here's a break down on why I consider this company a scam. First off they almost certainly word their claims policy so it is next to impossible to be approved. Secondly they are run so poorly. They intentionally never return phone calls when they say they will so you get completely frustrated. Third they make you jump through so many hoops you feel drained. Cigna goes out of their way to make your experience so bad they want you to give up.

Well I have been out of work for months now but I refuse to let them win. My wife has put one last call into our case manager to see if he will return the call. If he doesn't we have compiled all of our information from my doctors, discussions and lack of discussions with Cigna. We will then approach this legally and I will become much more vocal on social media about Cigna and their disability insurance. I don't know if Cigna supports people with mental disabilities as they do people with physical disabilities. Mental incapacitation is just as much a disability as physical. The thing that gets me is my doctors couldn't be more clear. They actually say I cant not work in the notes to Cigna.

And I would say maybe it's just me having this experience with Cigna. But I have a co worker from when I was working. His kidneys are failing and is waiting for a transplant. He too filed a claim with Cigna and at the time was getting the same misleading and lies information on getting his claim approved. I don't know if it ever got resolved for him.

So just one last thing and this is my opinion. Don't pay a penny to this company and your employer should not either for disability insurance. It is so not worth it at all. Look at all the complaints very similar to mine. There has to be better disability insurance to pay into. I'm just glad I didn't pay into long term disability and my company paid for short term. Thank you all for reading what I had to say. This will be last time I communicate on Consumer Affairs about this issue. They have been nothing but outstanding. Thank you Consumer Affairs. Time to start posting on bigger outlets of social media about Cigna.

The customer service tells me that my doctor's office sent them the correct paperwork but no notes. I call my doctor's office and talked to the lady in charge of it and she said that they did send notes and so she had to fax it to them again. They have done this twice now. I can't get through to them. I have had third parties try and they could not get through to the claims manager, their supervisor and the supervisor's supervisor. It is a joke. I pay for this benefit and then they expect me to do their work calling my Doctor. That is their job. I am not an employee of Cigna.

When I called to see if she had received it, she told me 'Just want to let you know that because of the time that has passed since your claim was closed, we may not be able to consider new information'. So, she outright lied and advised me to do something that was of no value except to waste precious time and frustrate me further!

I rely on this insurance provided by my employer to pay my bills when I'm unable to work. Now I'm getting behind on bills and don't know what I'm going to do. How is a person supposed to heal from major surgery when they are running around trying to get the insurance company to do THEIR jobs and not having the financial support they counted on? Cigna should be investigated. They are ripping people off when they are at their most vulnerable and it's not right. Why doesn't someone do something? How can they continue to get away with this? I would NEVER recommend anyone using this company for anything EVER!!!

Updated on 06/06/2017: My company has contracted with Cigna for short term disability benefits. They closed my case prematurely and keep giving lame excuses regarding the information my doctor has provided. Once they saw my review, they reached out and acted like they wanted to help. HA!!! All they did was give me the same BS line I've been getting all along. Please, do not give this company your money. They will keep it and when it's time to pay out benefits, they will play every dirty trick in the book - and then some - to make sure you don't get what you have coming. They are incompetent and greedy. And don't fall for their "I want to help" BS!! They flat out don't give a damn.

I have sent numerous faxes to them from my doctor who said I could not do my duties at this time. My diagnosis is fibromyalgia, iron deficiency anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, and trigger thumb. My doctor felt that the dizziness, extreme fatigue, unsteadiness, brain fog, low grade fever every day and pain would warrant a specialist and had me out of work. They are saying there is not enough clinical evidence to pay STD. Are you kidding me? I cannot drive myself anywhere and having trouble doing normal daily routines like bathing, cooking etc. They are causing me more stress and now my doctor wants me to see my psychiatrist due to increased anxiety.

We will not know what caused the anemia till I have the endoscope this Monday. They are looking for bleeding. But they are closing the case... Does this make sense? I paid for this insurance and they are giving me the runaround. I am trying my best to get back to work, but the doctors want more tests. What am I supposed to do? Since the rheumatologist ruled out Rheumatoid Arthritis - I was sent to a Hand specialist to determine the pain in my hands. He wants me to see a neurologist for a nerve conduction test and he gave me cortisone shots in my thumbs and I am wearing thumb splints for 2 weeks (day and night). How in the world can I type and use a mouse when I can't even hold a fork correctly? I am using my tablet and 2 fingers to type this.

I am at my wit's end and will now have to appeal. I just want to get whatever is wrong - fixed so I can be productive and work. How do they expect anyone to get better if they will not stand by their motto for the reason we buy their insurance? Medications, doctor appointments and procedures all cost money, not to mention you do need food and utilities to survive. Feeling helpless.

I signed my release and my doctor turn my records over to the company that faxes them to wherever they need to go. I called again leaving messages for Selina. She finally called me back on the 28. I asked have she received my records. She said, "No." I had already called my and spoke my doctor's office and the company that handles my record, they were waiting for Cigna to pay for the records. I told her this. Her reaction was, "Oh yeah. We will send out the payment. It usually takes 10 days!!!" I can not believe this company!!! So incompetent!!! I have been waiting 1 month to get paid. This company sucks **! I still have no idea if or when I am going to be paid.

I start calling my insurance company again, this time during my appointments. To make sure we are all on the same page. Ohhhh they have been sending faxes to the doctor's office requesting appointment notes on my case. Well, I'm informed that, that information is available from the main office. Okay, I make sure my insurance company gets the main office's fax number. So they sent their request, well they tell me they did cause at this point I don't know who to believe. My doctor's office said they've mailed them in twice. All I know is that I'm a single Mom. I was rear ended by a big truck after picking my son up from school. I've had terrible headaches, lower back pain and neck pain since. I do what I'm told the best I can.

I am trying to get better and get back to work and on with my life after being victimized by a company that's driver didn't have the right training or license to be driving for and should have never been behind the wheel of that truck. I'm a retail manager and my job requires me to lift up to 30 lbs, bend, squat, and stand on my feet for 8 to 12 hours a day with a half hour lunch break. 44 hours a week. Not something easy to do when you are in a lot of pain. So I'm doing what I have been told. I'm taking it day by day, doing therapy, getting back to my normal life... Only financially it's beyond what my normal life was like. Yeah I live paycheck to paycheck. I'm a single Mom and don't have a degree or make a lot of money. But I do have rent, a car note, insurance, school lunch money among the list of many things in life that require an income. And I'm proud that I make above the poverty amount and don't receive government assistance.

I did, a long long time ago. It's hell. And yet I find myself in a more desperate situation everyday. All because somehow, someone isn't getting the information they need to approve my disability so I can pay my bills and support my child and myself while I'm off work due to this horrible unforeseen accident that has seriously screwed me both physically, emotionally and financially. So could you please find out what else needs to be done? Can someone, anyone help??? Obviously not my insurance company. I literally got released to work April 27th and called the insurance company only to be told that they still haven't received my paperwork and will need to review it. Ooohhh and they may not approve my disability to be continued.

So I've been off work due to a car accident since February and they are not sure if they are going to pay me??? Smh. What kinda crap is that? Oh and never ever leave a voicemail! They do NOT call you back! They don't care about people at all! Worst company ever! Glad I don't have them as my medical insurance company! PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

I have a lawyer who sent me to another company to give me the test. They said I was not able to work. When Cigna reviewed it again they used the 1st test they did on me, to take more time. If they turn me down this time we are going to sue them. I can't wait, I have been waiting so many years to get paid. My husband passed away last year, I have a mentally handicap son, I need that money. I can't believe they can get away doing this to so many people.

I called today Monday and spoke with my contact person and said these notes were not even sent to the office for review. He will send them today for review tomorrow. I asked why tomorrow when it was only 11:15. "Oh the office needs to have them at 900 to review them." Very suspicious that when it comes time to pay me they closed my claim without notifying me. So now I will wait again. I call several times per week. This contact person I spoke to the day before they closed my claim. This is poor business practice. My employer pays CIGNA money for my STD.

I have not chose this life and instead of letting me worry about my health Cigna is making sure I quit with trying to get my ltd. I asked them before I went to new doctor what they needed from him and then never gave me any paperwork. So with that being said I emailed my Cigna contact and asked over and over if I needed anything because the new doctor wasn't quite sure with what exactly they were needing besides a copy of the 15 things I'm dealing with. What else they needed to understand I'm sick. I of course got no response. So guess what I am back to square one with them. Don't worry when it comes to health and mine and taking a stand. I'm a fighter. They can go screw themselves because I refuse to let them and their crew win.

I was told by my claims rep that California (where I live/work), did not have legal jurisdiction on my policy because the policy was "written in TEXAS" ***BUZZ LIE #1. **! Not only do they fall under California insurance laws but they have knowledge of this, and but are under court order in California among other things, but they knew about then order, to stop high pressure and deceptive practice. I could go on for an hour about my bad feelings and bad experiences, as they never STOPPED! RUN!!! DON'T WALK AWAY FROM THIS HORRIBLE COMPANY!

1. File your claim for STD benefits. There is a form that you can print out from their web portal, to have your doctor complete. This is good enough to get things started, but "it's the wrong form" and the ** who was assigned to my case had to mail me the correct form. It will take them at least 2 weeks to "process" your initial claim. My first check was mailed week 3 and it takes 5 whole days to get to my mailbox. File your claim ASAP. If you are being treated for behavioral health issues, the max coverage is 3 months. Make sure the doctor uses an ID10 code for something that is not behavioral health related.

2. They decide if they are going to approve your claim for month 1. This is the first approval. If successful here, payments will begin arriving weekly for up to 3 weeks. Counting the 1 week waiting period, this covers your first month. No matter what return to work date your doctor writes on the authorization form, they will only approve up to 3 weeks on the first one. See your doctor often and report everything that is happening which impacts your ability to return to work. Insist that your doctor puts those complaints in your chart notes.

3. Your first extension. I got this faxed in a week before my first approval ended (Week 3). This triggers a review of your claim and your claim manager will send your file to medical. This process takes another 2 weeks and documents start getting lost. Faxes need to be resent. The documents are not filled out right, boxes are not checked, only got page 2 and 7 in THE MAIL! I finally receive a payment during week 8, covering 4 weeks.

4. Month 3. If you file an extension to continue your claim thru weeks 9-12, your claim with be randomly selected for review. Cigna will send a new list of questions to the doctor and request additional information about your condition. These questions are designed to lead the doctor into describing the environment required to return you to work. What accommodations are needed? How many breaks? Time standing, sitting, walking, typing. If the doctor says there are accommodations required to return you to work, they will close your claim and tell your employer to make those accommodations.

There is a phone interview with Medical asking you to explain why you are unable to return to work and what it will take to get you back in the office. I told them that I would be unreliable and would not be able to function as a dependable part of the team in my current condition. If your extension gets approved, they will take you into week 12/13. For behavioral health issues, 3 months is the max coverage.

5. Deny, Close and stop payment. If you file an extension to take you into the 4th month, your claim will be denied and your claim will be closed. The insurance company's procedures are designed to draw out this process as long as possible. They are betting they will cause so much frustration and confusion that you will give up. You will receive a form letter that explains what information they used to come to the conclusion that you are healed and ready to go back to work. The insurance company has no downside to closing your claim at this point. If it stays closed, they don't have to pay you and only a small percentage of claims are ever appealed.

6. The Appeal. As soon as you receive the denial letter, follow the instructions to request a copy of your claim file. This can take a few weeks to process and must be done in writing. If you have been able to figure out the email address of your claim manager, you can save some time and request the file by sending an email message. READ the file. The reason they are using to justify their decision is in the file!! AND!! The definition of disabled according to your policy will be in the file.

Write a letter requesting that your case be sent to the appeals department. It takes 2 weeks, from when they receive your request, for your case to be assigned to a case manager. The process of gathering your file and submitting everything for review takes them 45 days. I had my doctor write a letter reiterating the reason they signed the disability extension form and faxed that to the new Claim Manager. I was asked if there is anything else I want to submit to support the clinical determination of my disability several times, and with the same wording I expect they are going to attempt to reject my appeal and blame me for not providing them with the necessary documents. If you have the full copy of your file, you know everything they know. Study this information. I expect they will begin forgetting about the records they DO have and I will be put in a position where I will have to remind them of what they know and when they knew it.

Bottom line is, you are disabled when your doctor says you are disabled. So, if your doctor says you are disabled, signs a letter affirming the fact and you have STD coverage, you are entitled to receive payment for the period of time determined by your doctor. The insurance company is depending on you to give up on collecting your benefits and have designed this process to be difficult, drawn out and as short as possible.

I explained to them that my work would not let me come back until I was at a non limited status. They said that this was not their problem. I had to put in appeal after appeal to no avail. I would call and the agent would say, "that should be covered. Go ahead and appeal," and weeks later I would receive a letter stating it was denied and I did not have any appeals left. Later during this process I had to have surgery and was put off of work on total disability. I called Cigna and the agent said "oh yes we should cover that. Go ahead and put in a new claim." I put in the new claim only to get a very angry Cigna representative calling to tell me I was not allowed to put in a new claim, even though the company advised me to do so.

This company tries to wear you down so you will just give up because they have frustrated you beyond your breaking point. I think to myself what if someone needed this claim to be paid to be able to eat and provide for their family. I pray that these folks that work at Cigna never have to go through this process and get denied by such uncaring workers or company. My Sister in Law had a Aflac plan and they paid for everything for her family.

Now that I am on long term medical leave, my employer requires that I pay my medical insurance which I am not able to because Cigna has held all disability payments. I fear that I will lose my medical coverage soon and will not be able to continue receiving medical treatment for my medical conditions. All of this waiting and their avoidance has caused financial hardship and additional stress and anxiety which are causing me additional health issues. They have left me with no other option but to hire an attorney. My treating physician are very annoyed with the fact that Cigna's medical team can disregard their professional expertise and professional and personal experience with my medical conditions/treatment as their patient without ever seeing me.

Also Cigna's web page statement regarding long term disability is very misleading to the consumer, "Cigna Long-Term Disability plans can pick up where Short-term Disability leaves off, with helping to ensure a continued flow of income if you can't work for an extended period of time due to an illness or injury. You can pay bills and focus on getting well." Cigna should be required to removed this false statement.

Original Review: Oct. 25, 2016

I recently fell at work when the heel of my pump caught in my other pant leg. I broke one wrist and badly sprained the other and the doctor wrote me off of work for 4 weeks. CIGNA required that I file a Workers' Compensation claim first, and although it seemed like a long-shot, I complied. The CIGNA rep assured me that I'd be covered by them, should the WC claim be denied. I think she actually said, "We have your back." Predictably, the WC claim was denied, as the injury was determined to be "not work related."

Today, CIGNA denied my claim, determining that the injury "WAS work-related." The whole thing seemed absurd so I Googled "CIGNA STD claims" and I now know the full extent of their unethical practices. Our company is approaching open-enrollment time for next year's coverage and I'm going to research other options. My prayers go out to all of you who are dealing with this horrible company while also battling serious health conditions. God bless you!

Please, if you are considering paying for disability insurance of any kind don't waste your money. They will always find a way to deny you and I have paid for this for years and now because my Dr. did not word things the way they thought they should be worded they have ruined my life and I am going to lose everything. Insurance used to be good. Now it is a joke. Nothing but a money racket. As long as you pay in every mo. all is well but if you need it, you may as well forget it...

Btw I had BOTH knees totally replaced. They tried that with my right on first and doc said no. Then I had to threaten a lawyer as well. And I can't contact my HR dept as they are as bad or worse. Still no answers as to why taxable. I pay premiums post tax. They also hired a company call ALLSUP to work me over on to SSDI. Even trying for full disability. If I call and talk to the rep Marcel he is like well..."I can try to look in to it." If they put me on SSDI then they want theirs back. Also don't understand why I pay them if going to SSDI. This has gone on too long.

Cigna responded with the following; Coverage decision - "the service you requested is not covered;" followed by several lame reasons why they would not pay for it. Upon receiving the rejection my PCP got in contact with a neurologist who submitted for an EMG test. That was approved so the test was administered. Based on the test results, the neurologist could tell something was terribly wrong so he now made the request to Cigna for the MRI. By now, over a month had passed and my condition was getting worse. I get the MRI done on a Thursday and Friday, the neurologist calls me and says he scheduled me for emergency surgery the following Monday (April 1st) as I am on the verge of being paralyzed. The disc had crushed the spinal cord sack to a point where no fluid was traveling past the damaged area.

Monday I show up at the hospital and have the operation, the next day when the neurosurgeon comes to see me he says the injury was so old that he had enough bone spur to scrape and use for the fusion. We go for a walk around the nurses station and I still have difficulty walking and the back pain is still there. When I tell him how I feel he says it will take time to recover as all the signals traveling down my body had re-routed to different sets of nerves and the brain would have to sync with the correct nerves after the pressure was relieved.

I lost all strength in my legs by now and could not get up off the floor or walk more than 20 yards without experiencing pain that reached a level 9 on the chart. So now I start my office calls with the surgeon and go off to PT for several weeks. No help from the PT, actually made me worse for several days after each visit, keep telling the surgeon on each visit and now develop a stronger radiating pain in my left shoulder which I also tell the doc about and he attributes that to the disc damage.

This goes on for almost two years, no problem from Cigna on office calls, PT, or a request for another cervical MRI to see if anything would show up. MRI does not show anything conclusive other than a white spot that was identified as a potential cyst in the lumbar/thoracic region. I decide to move south with my job as I was petrified of walking in the snow and falling down where someone might not see me. Before I go the neurosurgeon finally says this may be how I live the rest of my life.

The day before I leave, I call Emory Hospital in Atlanta and ask for an appointment and explain the situation. A few days later the person I drove down with takes me to Emory and I see the head of the orthopedic division, his bio reads like a who's who in spinal cord field. He reviews my MRI and says 75% of the people who have an injury as bad as mine get better, 20% stay the same and 5% get worse. I continue down to Macon where I take residence and start seeing the local orthopedic surgeons. They want their own MRI performed so we do another one. Now they see white spots on the spinal cord and say they believe them to be scar tissue which has formed as the healing process continued and also say there is nothing they can do improve my condition.

I do complain about the lingering arm pain so they agree to do an EMG test on the left arm and leg. At the end of the test the doctor says I have something going on in the elbow area and thinks it may be a Tommy John's injury and also says there are indications of permanent nerve damage in the right leg. He schedules an appointment with one of the other doctors about a week out. The day before my appointment I wake up with my small and ring finger curled or hooked under and cannot straighten them. I go to my appointment and immediately upon seeing my hand this doctor says I have Ulnar nerve entrapment and need surgery. Again no complaints from Cigna.

After the operation the doctor says the nerve was pretty flat when he opened my arm up and was unsure of the extent of the damage and says it will take about six months to see if the nerve regenerates. Six months pass, no improvement so that also looks permanent. I have atrophy in several locations on my hand and to this day have little to no use of those two fingers and a constant tingling in the thumb. All this time I am still working.

In the last six to eight months things are getting worse, I developed spasms in my legs, have started falling, get severe pain in the ankles and legs and a host of other ailments. By now I have a new primary care doctor who I see on a monthly basis and finally says "don't I think it's time to consider disability," I finally agree due to my age and just can't take the day to day pain any more so we file a claim for STD with Cigna.

So far, just as all of you have said, nothing as far as paperwork is good enough. Mind you, this is coming from a case worker that has little to no medical training but says she has nurses available for consultation. In my book, a nurse is a far cry from a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon. I even had a call from another woman who works for Cigna and has a 1001 reasons why I should not be applying for STD and tells me that it's my fault my case has not been approved or denied yet and it's MY responsibility to comply with all their wishes and demands.

Over the years and at various employers I elected to take the Cigna coverage and always opted to pay for LTD also. So far, this looks like a big mistake. Reading so many other blogs and seeing the same recurring theme it looks like Cigna is just another money hungry corporation that likes to take all they can get and return nothing.

So far they have caused me to lose three weeks of pay which is enough to make me enlist the aid of legal services and start contacting any regulatory agencies I can find. I did find a local attorney that hates Cigna and their practices and has no qualms about posting that on his website. I will tune in later as my case progresses and feel very sorry for all of you who have come before me and hope you all the best of luck with your endeavors.

My VS prescribed 12 weeks of therapy which Cigna approved two weeks of but now has continued to deny my claim saying doctor's notes aren't enough & therapist notes don't say enough when both therapist & Doctor are saying they've provided detailed information regarding my condition. I keep calling Cigna but they keep saying it's still under review but their personalized website for my claim says closed & denied. I'm at a loss as to what to do at this point.

First off I had a lady caseworker and in 6 weeks she managed to get information from 1 doctor. I have cognitive problems which turned out to be brain damage and I wrote her number down wrong. When I got ahold of her and tried to give her all the information I had... let's just make a long story short, I was told I was bothering her and interrupting her, keeping her from doing her job. That we had a problem and we needed to pick a time for me to get my information together and sit down and present it all at once and yada yada yada and at first I felt bad because I couldn't think right and I was slow and then I thought how dare you! And I hung up on her and called management and told them what she had said and asked what she had been doing for 6 weeks while I wasn't getting any pay and I wanted a new caseworker!

A few days later a man called me back apologizing up one side of the street and down the other and told me he was giving me a new caseworker and how they were going to bend over backwards yada yada yada. The new guy was very nice up until 3 days ago when he lied boldfaced because my brain is getting better and I know what he told me before and it wasn't what he told me the other day. He had told me when I was asking him what the holdup was, that my short term didn't have this problem... that's it! I called my short term and had them send everything over! Problem solved! And to add the cherry to the top I made a video of myself and took pictures of my blood pressures and pulses and blood sugars all of which I was having problems with and e-mailed them also. Well he told me he couldn't accept those emails and video from me because they weren't from a doctor.

I said "That is me, the person you want to know what kind of condition is in, whether I am able to work or not and there I am on video for your doctors and adjusters to see. Can't speak correctly, stammer and stutter and spasm and jerk and you are trying to decide if I can be a paramedic on an ambulance like I have been for almost 20 years and I am showing you first hand and asking you if you would want me taking care of you or your loved one in an emergency medical situation or if I need medical care myself? Your reply to me is you can't take this because it isn't from a doctor. Fine. What about the neuropsychologist that says I am severely cognitively impaired? Or the nuclear medicine doctor who did a SPECT scan and found brain damage in my temporal and frontal lobes? Oh you say that is overwhelming and should be enough by itself to get me approved! Wonderful! But now you're telling me that the neuropsychologist said my test results were normal.

I am brain damaged, not stupid and my doctor has been giving me medicine since May and I can remember more now and I remember your lie. And I know that the brain damage was found because my nuclear medicine doctor is also a diabetes doctor and I saw him for that first and liver and gall bladder and kidney damage and adrenal insufficiency. You can't take my medical knowledge away from me. It is in my long-term memory where it is safe. I know more than you will ever know about medicine. I know that I have dystonia and lyme disease and autonomic dysfunction and my blood flow in my brain is low because in part, I have a clotting disorder and have to take ** a blood thinner and I have an autoimmune disease in my brain also.

As a matter of fact I have about 70 primary and secondary diagnosis now and if I was my own paramedic, I would know as well as those doctors at your company that I more than qualify, ten times over, for long-term disability and you are lying through your teeth telling me that my "circumstances don't qualify" for long-term disability. As I sit here typing this, I struggle to see it because to add insult to injury, I ended up with a fungal infection in my eye last week and there is one little spot that scarred right over my pupil. So we will just put the fact that I can't see real well on my list. Would you like them alphabetically? Sorry, you will get what you get and you might get one or two twice. I might take a picture of my doctor's paper just so people can see it in black and white.

The doctor has my brain damage listed as traumatic brain injury. The truth is we don't know the cause ok, here goes... autonomic neuropathy, hypotension/hypertension tachycardia/bradycardia, brain damage, low blood flow in the brain, clotting disorder, maybe blackouts, maybe falling asleep, don't know. I have sleep problems too. Between my neuromuscular disease (dystonia) and my restless leg/limb I moved 47 times an hour in REM sleep and 31.2 times an hour in non-REM. So we don't know if I am just so exhausted, I am falling asleep, or I am blacking out. Dizziness. Precordial/chest pain, back pain, Facet's, osteoporosis, spondylosis, 4 bulging discs in my cervical spine, migraines, 2 lesions on my brain, visual disturbances/loss/difficulty, hearing loss left ear, abnormal EKG shows old heart attack, anemia of chronic renal failure stage 2, mild, dystonia, dysautonomia, mixed hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes without complications.

Chronic Tertiary Neurological Lyme Disease, dyspnea on exertion, sleep apnea, restless leg/limb, bilateral orbital frontal hypoperfusion, autoimmune cerebritis, nystagmus, strabismus, tinnitus, anosmia, reactive airway disease, basal cell carcinoma, tendinosis, gastroparesis, diverticulosis,IBS-C/D, urinary retention, scoliosis, multi-joint arthritis, hypothyroidism, thyromegaly, plantar fasciitis, mj, tn, neuropathy, vertigo, sinusitis,enlarged fatty liver and elevated enzymes, elevated B12, adrenal fatigue, cognitive impairment, insomnia, myoclonus, fever and night sweats, aneurysm in wall of L vent, endo and adenomyosis, chondromalacia patella, bursitis, add/adhd, babesia, bartonella, rmsf and possible EDS. Sorry about my spelling. It is one of the things I lost with all this."

This has basically come about over the last year to year and a half. I worked as long as I could. I was really very mad at my caseworker and his boss and all involved at Cigna for putting me in this position at first and then I thought about Karma and things such as that and I figured those people who hurt innocent people to make a living have to have a special place reserved... you know. And I thought they probably need prayers and our help and guidance more than most because it must take a cold and empty person to know that you are taking someone who worked and planned and paid for prepared, went without things and you think about their families and kids and just the snowball effect.

Just all the damage that company and its employees do with its lies and underhanded practices and they do it for a living. They make money doing it. They get paid for lying and cheating people. Sick people at their very worst. People who depend on that company blindly only to find out when they need what they have worked for is a facade. I'm not even sure what all I have written here or what I have sent to the insurance board but now all I can do is wait for their decision.

Now I have to go to neurosurgeon and still not good enough so I go without job without pay etc... And having to hire lawyer for something I paid into and the nasty excuse for careless individuals who treat you like dirt. If I could shut this company down with one phone call to the head person I would because they are a company that does not care and you have to be dead before they cover you and it's sad there are companies like this ripping hardworking individuals off.

In November of 2014 I noticed numbness in the left foot and severe pain in left hamstring. I was unable to walk, stand or sit without severe shooting pain down the left leg into the left foot. After 3 visits at my primary care provider they finally ordered an MRI which showed a desiccated disk with a piece broken off and lodged into the nerve root canal. I then received a referral for surgery in January. The surgeon wanted to first try a steroid with ** injection performed by a pain specialist which was unsuccessful. On March 30th a micro-discectomy was performed. At this time I received a denial from CIGNA for LTD which I appealed and won. After surgery I continued to have sensori-motor deficits, pain in left hamstring and numbness in left foot. A new MRI showed the herniation has again worsened and the surgeon recommended a redo surgery.

To date I had to work with 5 different case workers who each made attempts to overturn the awarded amount and each required extensive documentation of the physicians to keep me on LTD. With re-do surgery scheduled for August 25, 2016 they now scheduled a Independent Medical Evaluation in a city 2 hours away at a date 10 days from now. Social Security Disability has scheduled an independent medical exam 1 month from today in another city 2 hours away. Mind you I still cannot sit longer than 20-30 minutes, so transport is difficult to request. Currently, I have been laid off from the place of employment due to exhaustion of leave and rely heavily on the income that I receive from CIGNA. I am almost 61 years old and would have difficulty finding work that could accommodate my disabilities. My question is why did I pay the premiums for LTD buy-up for 20 years. Thank you for your consideration.

I also went to use some of their doctors before my termination and found that everyone who uses them are substandard. The glasses I got I ended up paying my co-pay about $100 more than what I have bought my glasses for without using their insurance because they sent me to some kind of goofy doctor. And the glasses I got were a lot cheaper built than what I am used to. The dentist they sent me to did not know very much about what he was doing. I had to pay 2 Grand for a crown, and he did not fit it right. There is a gap as wide as my fingernail along one entire side that food collected in and he told me it was no problem. The doctor spackled some stuff across it to fill it in three times now and it will not stay in. This is why laws requiring you to have insurance are so wrong. You're better off saving your money and paying a good doctor to do the job right the first time. The only reason I gave Cigna one star is because negative stars are not offered.

The above symptoms are not all inclusive. I mentioned those things to say this. I was paid once by CIGNA. Mind you, my condition has not improved but has gotten worse! I have since been denied. I was first told, "We need the disability form from your doctor" when that was received!!! It was we need the medical records from March 29-April 26 which had been sent 4-5 times but they continued to claim they'd not received them!! My husband had to personally drive 45 min and pick my medical records up (good thing though).

I read through them and circled all the pertinent information (so it wouldn't be missed) and faxed it to them. What do you know, they finally received my medical records. My claim has still been denied. My doctor has restricted me from driving which is a huge part of my job. I have weakness of my extremities which makes it difficult to lift, stand, walk, assist patients, draw labs, climb, grab. I have a gait abnormality which makes it difficult to walk and causes me to use a cane/walker which I cannot do in my line of work but they've still denied my claim.

I have filed an appeal letter and contacted an attorney. I have also requested my administrative records. I keep a copy of everything and everyone I speak to. I suggest you do the same. It's time these people stop taking advantage of us. I understand it's a business and is there to make money but it should be there for the people who are putting the money in its pockets when they need it. I hope this helps someone going through what I'm going through. Get an attorney from the beginning if you're dealing with CIGNA.

My Doctors are in total disbelief that this company is continuing to ask for this stuff over and over. They told me that they have never seen such a blatant attempt of an insurance company trying to avoid confirming a claim. They don't return calls or emails. That have this fax number that must send your fax straight into the garbage chute, because they claim it is never received. They won't acknowledge your emails or phone calls. They set ridiculously short time frames to respond to letters that are about to expire by the time you receive them so that they have another way of delaying or denial on claims.

Now I am hiring an Attorney to assist with this because of my illness and the medications I take, I am unable to continually drive around town to chase info that these people already have received. I guess the longer they intentionally delay and deny the claims, the more money they keep in their pockets. My advice to anyone with this insurance is to change insurance before you need it, Because you will be in for a nightmare of never ending lies and deceit with these people.

In mid 2011 I started noticing a numbness in my left leg on the way to work and throughout the day. I went to several doctors and they prescribed steroids and physical therapy with no improvement. Finally my doctor sent me for an MRI and surgical consult. The results - degenerative disc disease and a spinal fusion operation. During my surgery and recovery I exhausted my short term disability insurance and was approved by Cigna for LTD as I was expected to recover and return to work soon.

As I was healing from my surgery I started to notice a numbness, weakness, itching, and burning in my right leg and foot. My doctor sent me for x-rays and a CT scan. I can never have an MRI again as I now have a titanium plate and screws holding my spine together. The results showed that I now have 4 discs bulging and pressing against my right nerve root causing my symptoms. Now the cause of my symptoms is plainly visible on my CT scan and my doctor refuses to release me back to work. It's at this point that Cigna realizes that they could be on the hook for a lot of money for a very long time and they decide that I am not disabled and that, in their learned opinion, I can return to my previous occupation and close my claim. I appeal my claim and win on the grounds that my medical condition qualifies as disabled under the contract and payments resume.

The next two years go by with little trouble, except that Cigna forces me to apply for and win SSDI benefits so that they can offset their payments to me. At the end of two years, Cigna conducts what they call an "any occupation" review. Basically the contract says that at the end of two years if I can perform the functions of any job that will pay me up to 80% of my former salary I am no longer disabled. The problem Cigna has is that I made a high salary and have no college education so Cigna decides that I can now go back to my previous occupation as there are no others that will allow me to make the necessary income. I appeal this decision and win. The independent peer review conducted as part of my appeal stated that I won my appeal because there was no change in my medical condition and as I was previously judged to have met the contractual definition of disabled I must still be disabled.

It's now February 2016 and I am up for my two year SSDI review and they demand that I go see an "independent" doctor for a physical. During this exam the doctor never reviewed any of my previous test results and never ordered any new tests. This doctor never, at any time, touched me in any way. He discussed my medical history and current condition with me and my wife for no more than 10 minutes and completed his report. His report stated that I could drive, walk, sit, stand, bend, and lift up to 50lbs repeatedly. I later found out that this doctor has been convicted of felony fraud, obstruction of justice, and failure to maintain proper patient records. He has been fined, jailed, placed on supervised probation and had his medical license suspended twice. Obviously, SSDI denies my extension, which I am appealing. Of course, Cigna decides to take this doctors word over that of my treating physician and closes my claim for the third time.

Now it's important to remember that since my surgery I have been placed on long-term pain management and had a neurostimulator implanted that sends a constant electrical pulse down my right leg. Surgeons have told me that my condition is not operative and I have undergone no other treatments and have taken no medications that could have changed my underlying medical condition in any way. The medications I take are powerful narcotics with, at times, severe side effects. I experience constant pain and I am at constant risk of further damaging my already weakened back. There are days at a time that I can not even get out of bed. Cigna knows all of this. You should also know that at the time Cigna closed my claim file my youngest child turned 18 and SSDI would be lowering my benefit causing Cigna to have to increase my benefit payment.

So now I am appealing again for the third time in just over 4 years. My doctor refuses to allow me to return to work because of my weakened back, pain level, and the medications I take. My wife is now forced to return to work as we now have no income and we are burning through our savings rapidly. I know that Cigna will take as long as possible deciding my appeal in the hopes that I will choose to place my medical well-being in jeopardy so that my family is not forced to suffer. With the support of my wife, family, and doctor, I am confident that I will win this appeal as well on the grounds that my medical condition has not changed since my original surgery. I am also sure that Cigna will continue to find any reason possible to close my claim file as often as possible in the hopes that they will wear me down and I will just quit fighting. They are WRONG! I will never stop fighting this corrupt, immoral, and unjust company.

If you are working for a company that does business with Cigna, I implore you to urge your company to look elsewhere for LTD benefits. If you have Cigna LTD insurance you need to take further steps to protect your family as Cigna's promises are not worth the paper they are printed on. If you are, as I am, fighting with Cigna right now you need to keep all your records, read your contract and don't believe a word these people tell you. I have read many of these complaints and I have seen it all and been through it all. Cigna is right now destroying the lives of innocent people and they could not care less. Good Luck and God Bless.

Updated on 06/10/2016: I have previously filed a review concerning Cigna's handling of my disability claim but just a quick review. In under 5 years Cigna has seen fit to close my disability claim on 3 separate occasions even though I suffer from failed back syndrome and have been on long-term pain management for years. Nothing at all has changed with my medical condition since my first or second appeal victories but I am now forced to appeal yet again. I recently completed and submitted my appeal request to Cigna. Cigna informed me that they received my submission and that they were referring my claim file for an "Independent Medical Review."

I have been researching Cigna for years and I discovered that Cigna entered into a legal settlement with 5 complaining states in 2013 (including my state of PA). Part of this settlement makes clear that Cigna has used doctors with ties to Cigna for their independent medical reviews in the past, and they were now obligated to discontinue this practice and only use doctors who had no ties to Cigna and whose companies or practices had no connection to Cigna.

Upon receiving notification that Cigna had sent my claim for an "Independent Medical Review" I requested the name of the company or practice performing the review so that I could research them and insure that they were independent of Cigna and qualified to perform the review. I was told that the doctor was not associated with a company and that no information could be provided. My suspicions grew. I continued to request information on the Independent Medical Review process and was finally told that the doctor reviewing my case actually worked directly for Cigna and that his "independent" status related to the fact the he has never reviewed my claim in the past. WHAT???

Obviously I was extremely upset to say the least. How can Cigna claim that any doctor who receives a steady paycheck from Cigna and depends on the financial wellbeing of their employer for their continued financial security possibly provide an independent and objective review of my appeal? When I asked why Cigna would send my appeal to an internal doctor instead of an outside company as they did with my last two appeals I was told that sometimes they do it internally and sometimes they send them out, as if that constitutes an explanation.

I also asked what, if any, recourse I had if this "independent but in-house" doctor agreed that my claim should be closed. I was told that I could request a second appeal to an outside company and that a new 45 day time period would apply to that appeal. I then asked if I could request that my appeal be sent to an outside doctor immediately for an actual independent review and was reluctantly told that I could in writing request this, and have it done as well as finally receiving the information on the company I originally asked for. While making this formal request I also included the legal definition of "independent" for their review as they obviously have no idea what the word means.

I tell you this because you can not trust this company in any way. At this point I am certain that Cigna is planning on stretching this claim process out in the misguided hopes that I will return to the workforce regardless of my well documented medical condition which clearly proves that I am incapable of working in any way (as my treating physician has told them repeatedly). I truly believe that Cigna is determined to deny my appeals regardless of the facts of the case and refuse to pay the benefits that I am morally and legally entitled to. I am now preparing for legal action including but not limited to a formal complaint to the State Insurance Commission. If you are currently fighting for your rights against this immoral company I can only tell you to fight, fight, and keep fighting but don't expect to be treated fairly because you won't be.

ALSO, Cigna always sends a response to these complaints so that they will be labeled "Resolution n Progress" with absolutely no intention of resolving these issues. Their goal is to diminish the impact of these reviews to future readers. Take my word for it, there is no resolution in progress as that would mean Cigna would have to act in an honorable fashion and that will never happen.

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and receive counseling, as well as medications from a county facility. Services are provided free of charge, due to my low income. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful to have been awarded SSDI, yet it is not enough to fund the bare minimum of my expenses just to keep a roof over my head and food to eat. I became eligible for Medicare in March, 2016. Having gone the last two years with no medical insurance coverage, I was unable to seek medical treatment from a physician, let alone a Neurologist. My seizures were occurring once every 6 wks, then once a month.

In November 2015, I get a letter from Cigna, informing me that they were unable to continue payments due to lack of medical documentation in reference to my seizures. There was no documentation because I had been seizure free since June 2015. I had to be seizure free for 6 months before I could be released to return to work. I have been in the process of appealing their denial for 6 months now. As everyone has reported, baptism by fire has gotten the best of me, resulting in the onset of another seizure. Stress is a trigger for seizures and if credentialed medical reviewers actually reviewed my case, they would have known the meds I get for depression controls seizures.

When I informed them that I was appealing their decision, I was told to obtain records from November 2015 to March 2016, which was their way of giving them another excuse to deny my appeal. That timeframe was not the medical records in question! They made their decision based on medical records from October 2014-September 2015. Eleven months of records they already have, so why weren't those records being reviewed by another group of non "credentialed" members on the team?

There is no guarantee I won't have another seizure from my appeal process as long as they continue to deny my claims.

Don't expect to be approved upfront for LTD with Cigna, even if you have been approved for Social Security Disability and you have an army of medical doctors that are considered to be "key opinion leaders" and "expert witnesses" in the field of their medical expertise. DO EXPECT Cigna to not return calls. Do expect Cigna to not respond to your specific request for information (such as a copy of your specific LTD policy) even after you follow their guidelines which are that all request must be faxed, not sent by email (they won't give out their email addresses or last names) and they won't consider any request for specific material or documentation over the phone. Heck, they won't even send you the requested information, after you follow their guidelines.

If you get DAVID ** as your case manager, whew, you better pray. MAKE SURE you get a copy of your specific policy, as my LTD insurance coverage was provided through my employer of 19 years. The policy that my employer provided is worded quite differently and more beneficial that what Cigna tells you that you actually have.

Make sure that they have your previous income correct, as my Cigna representative had my annual income off by over $50,000 less than I actually made. Good news is that once you are denied several times and have a few nervous breakdowns in the process and you are able to pull yourself out of bed long enough to compose an "Official Appeal Letter" which will be denied, it is required to go to a higher appeal board, (one made up of a medical team). The Official Appeal Board is easier to work with. They return calls, communicate well and will actually send you the information that you have been requesting for over 6 months. My appeal to employers is to find another carrier for your LTD plan. Cigna is awful!!!

I have always heard that Social Security Disability is very difficult to get and that often times it takes years and legal action. For me, I was approved for full benefits with 5 weeks of my first application for SSDI. My benefits started in October 2015. But as of April 2016, I was still appealing Cigna. When the appeal board member called me two weeks ago, the stress of the call sent me into a seizure. I was barely able to speak on the phone and I told her to just deny it like they have been doing so that I can have my attorney deal with it because I can't handle the stress of it. Two weeks later, Cigna approved me.

I am not happy that I am facing a life change due to my disability. Like you, I wonder how I will be able to make it financially. I would rather work and earn much more money, however, my physical condition is such that I had worked with the up to the point that my doctors forced me off work. Yes, with my begging to work, the doctors said no way! I literally had to have people move in with me to care for me a year ago. My condition is one that progresses and does not get better, however, I am sure that Cigna is anticipating a full recovery and the battle will begin again with them in a year or two, as I understand that they continually review and try to discontinue benefits.

Remember, keep all your medical records and be prepared for a fight. Don't give up hope. But be realistic. If you can work, then work. I have worked since I was 14. Now I am 51. I have had multiple cancers, cancer treatment for nine years, long-term debilitating side effects, over 18 surgeries and multiple autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis. I missed very little work during my treatments and I fought back the physical pain. Work kept me going. I loved working and I was very good at it. But eventually, my body said no more. I was totally crippling with gripping pain and treatment no longer worked. Best of luck in your fight for your deserved benefits.

Now all of a sudden Cigna hired a company called Accent and they went in and looked at my coverage and started asking all my doctors for money back for claims that were already paid. Their reasoning was that since I didn't elect to take Medicare part B they did not have to cover me. I am now being sent bills from all the doctors, labs, etc. and since I am not working and only receive 1045 a month I don't have money to pay these bills. Cigna and Accent are disgusting companies and to go after someone on disability. Wow I was shocked. Healthcare insurance is still a mess and Obamacare obviously did nothing to help insurance companies from getting away with disgusting practices such as this.

We saw the specialist on Feb 11th, at which time he was released with restrictions due to being in the construction trade. We notified his employer to which they said until he had zero restrictions, they did not want him to come back to work. On Feb 26th he received a partial check covering him through Feb 11th. We fought and they finally paid an additional week March 9th, only paying him through Feb 18th. Here we are March 22 and have not been paid since Feb 18th. We have jumped through all their hoops, faxed and re-faxed documents multiple times, had 3 way conversations with the doctor and Cigna... And it's been a nightmare. We've lost our home and neither Cigna nor this Corporation will do anything to expedite anything. He has since re-injured himself because he had to go back to work injured because we had to feed our kids. This is the nightmare that never ends!

I don't quite understand how a nurse, who doesn't know me or know anything other than what is written on a progress note, can override what an MD says or diagnosis! So I essentially had to go back to work having panic attacks, I would be sent home. Now I am going to have to file another claim with them and I am totally dreading it! I am now permanently disabled with my back, complete with a shattered SI joint and a new diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. I can't wait to see what hell they will put me through this time. You can not win with this company!

UPDATED ON 06/21/2016: If you read my review from February, you would know that I had really high hopes for the Cigna STD & LTD products that I purchased through work and paid for since 2010. Well once again it has been a TOTAL nightmare! I finally got approved, only after corporate contacted me. I have finally made it through my STD with 1 month of eligibility left. Mind you, my good credit is now ruined and I am on the brink of losing my car. It seems once you are getting ready to transition over to LTD (if you are lucky enough to get that far), Cigna starts right back up with the same crap. My doctor changed my monthly appointment where I ended up having 2 appointments in May. They had approved me through 6.17.16, prior to my second visit in May. They claim the last visit in May approved me until June 17, when I got a phone call from my claim manager around May 10th to let me know it was approved through the 17th!

Now I am no rocket scientist, but I do have enough common sense to use deductive reasoning to figure that one out. I can't understand how my condition that is not getting better, will not get better, but is only getting progressively worse, yet it is no longer sufficient to continue my claim. Their motto is a complete joke as is their whole operation! I don't understand how you have a nurse reviewing your records and making a decision and passes the info along to the "claim manager," who by the way is not medically trained/certified, make the final decision that she feels you can go back to work, when your doctor stated that I would never be able to work again! This has added more stress on top of the stress due to my illness.

Someone has to do something about this. Every single story I have read about this company, is the same. I see that some have gotten semi-lucky to get payment at all, but they always find a way to shut it down. I am utterly disgusted with the whole situation and this company! I guess what really gets me, is that we have health insurance with them as well. I think a call to the DOI and a good attorney is in order. I am tired of being nice. It gets you NOWHERE!!!

It's been almost 2 weeks and the continued leave is still "pending approval". I've not received a dime from this company yet (it's been a month) and I've called and left messages about 10 times. No replies. Today, I get a letter from my employer stating that my leave was not approved through Cigna for 2 more weeks and I have 10 days to return to work or be terminated. This company not only messes with your finances, it takes a toll on you mentally and it's messing with my job now. I pay for this kind of service? This place is horrible! I plan on dropping their services and going with a more reputable company.

My claims manager is new. She, however, is on the same team that has wrongfully denied my claim twice before. She requested my records from 5 doctors and the place where I received outpatient PT for 8 months. The requests were made on December 22nd. Cigna's HIPPA statement is missing a clause that is required in the state of Virginia. The area records department sent a letter and the needed form to Cigna so that my records could be released. (I have been through this before... Gee...you'd think whoever is training this new person would know about this by now, instead of wasting precious time).

So, the release forms are mailed to me, I sign them, and send them back (with delivery confirmation) the very next day. After I see that they have been received by Cigna, I wait a few days, and then check with my doctors to make sure that they have received these forms from Cigna. Nope. I call the records department and she sees only the original requests from Cigna on December 22nd.

I call my Claims Manager. She tells me the she had faxed these forms with new requests to all of my doctors and PT on January 15th. I informed her that no one had received anything from her since December 22nd and that the records department lady told me to ask Cigna to fax everything again because no one had received this "supposed" January 15th fax. My Claims Manager insisted that she indeed had faxed to all of my doctors on January 15th and that she wanted to wait a week or two to see what their turnaround time was, and that she also didn't want to receive duplicate records. Then she said that maybe she should send me a letter giving me an update of where they were in the process!

I already knew where they were in the process! Cigna is up to their same old games they play. My Claims Manager said that my urologist hadn't faxed the additional records that they requested. I made a call to them. The Secretary that I spoke with was mad as heck at Cigna because she had faxed everything on January 5th and had a confirmation page. I left 4 messages with my Claims Manager informing her of this and would she call me to confirm that she got these records. She finally told me during the 5th phone call that yes, she had received these urology records.

At this point, I inform my Claims Manager again that the rest of my doctors and PT have not received anything since December 22nd. Then my Claims Manager says that maybe she should MAIL the forms and requests to my doctors. Gee...let's waste another week. After all, she told me that I'd be fine as long as they received everything within 60 days. I said no to mailing and she said that on February 1st she would put a big sticky note on her computer and come into work early the next day and re-fax everything. I told her that I would be calling my doctors later that day to make sure that the faxes were received. Five phone calls later, and not one of them have received a thing. No one has received anything since the original request, minus the correct release form, on December 22nd, 2015.

At this point, I have made probably 30 or more phone calls and messages in writing to every doctor involved and my Claims Manager and I am red hot mad. Because, I have been jerked around like this by them before. If they "claim" that they haven't received what they need in time, they'll close your claim. Due to my disability, I cannot drive. So, out in the pouring rain, my ex-husband drove me clear across the city to my spine surgeon's office, where I signed another release form, and his lovely and helpful Secretary took this form directly to the records department. Now my records can finally be released to Cigna. Tomorrow I will make sure my PT records are sent as well.

So, I call my new Claims Manager and tell her that I went to one of my doctor's offices today, signed another release form, and that it was hand-delivered to the records department, and that she would now be getting my records. I did inform her that we were having severe weather today with torrential downpours and that I had to have someone drive me clear across town to sign another release because she did not re-fax everything like she said she would first thing the previous morning with her sticky note reminder.

WOW is all I can say...her tone of voice was angry, confrontational, and arrogant! She insisted that she was following Cigna's "process" and she wanted me to wait on the phone while she tried to find the faxes confirmations. I asked her if she could mail me all if these confirmation pages. She said she didn't know, that she'd never had anyone ask that before. I reminded her of her big sticky note and her plan to come in early the day before to re-send the faxes, and I asked her if she doesn't remember doing that, and she didn't answer.

She kept insisting that she was doing everything correctly and everything that she could to get my records. I asked her to explain then why 5 different offices were all telling me the same thing, "nothing since December 22nd"? No answer. Just more ugly, confrontational language from her that she's followed Cigna's procedures. All the while, she's fumbling through her computer, trying to locate fax confirmation pages. She could not locate them, but insisted they were in there. Yet, she had no answer to why no one was receiving them.

Now this lady had been very pleasant to talk with, until today. She became quickly angered when I told her that I had signed a new release form today and that she'd be getting my records soon. And she kept interrupting me. She offered no apology. In fact, she told me that ultimately, it was up to ME to get my records to Cigna! Oh, really? Why do we need a Claims Manager for then? Just send me a letter of what you want, and I'll be glad to get you my records. That would be so much better than being lied to, making multiple phone calls, having increased anxiety, and worrying if I will be able to buy groceries and my medications this month.

I was so mad by now that I informed my Claims Manager that I had previously filed a complaint with our state's insurance board and maybe I needed to file another complaint. She said, "Go ahead!" I also said that I should have a talk with her supervisor, and she again said, "Go ahead!" I don't know what set this woman off...either she was purposely trying to delay getting my records so that my claim would be closed, and I foiled her plans, or she is so sure that she is doing her job perfectly and I'm saying otherwise, I just don't know. I don't know if she is making mistakes with the fax machine perhaps? I would like a copy of all of these "supposed" fax confirmation pages, first to prove that she really has sent these faxes, and two, I could verify that the fax #s are the correct ones. I do not want to continue having this sort if ongoing issues with Cigna. All this unnecessary anxiety for $351 a month. Unfortunately, I need this income.

And BTW, I am so disabled, that I received Social Security on the first try. I am only 54, so it was not due to my age. I got no hassle from Social Security. Yet, now Cigna is asking for a Functionality Test from me. I won't go into what my disabilities are, but I wish these Cigna people could be in my place for a while and be treated the same by their corrupt company the same way that they have treated me. They really don't care about us, they care about screwing disabled customers out of money we are truly entitled to receive. Like we haven't lost enough, Let's take away their income too.

If I do decide to file more complaints, my former employer is a Fortune 50 company, with roughly 1,800 stores. I think our corporate offices should be made aware of how Cigna treats their employees. There is Cigna, life insurance, MetLife policies, all under the same umbrella. It would be a huge loss if this Fortune 50 company switched to someone else.

When I call they advise they still have not received any paperwork over and over again. I cant do anything but sit here and lose everything and they do not care. Wow very disappointed. Last week I was told "we are waiting for your employer to send us a paper". This was like the 22nd of January. I explained my dissatisfaction with my employer and said "I am about to lose everything" and she looks in her email while I am on the phone and found that my employer had answered her around the 10th of January. So my information sat in her email for at least 10 days and could have been pushed along, my dr has sent the information at least 2 times they said and have shown me proof, but Cigna said they still do not have that paperwork.

This should be illegal. We didn't ask for this to become disabled. I am ready to look for work but at the time can't take a job because I have pt, dr appts and other testing. I cant walk or even go to any of my Drs appts right now because I have no income, because cigna wont pay and everybody wants payment for visits up front. It could be another month or two before I can get released and that is if the pt works. If I even get to go due to no income and not able to pay for copayments. We should be able to sue for this, maybe I'll look into that. I'm not looking to be disabled forever, I just want to get better asap and get back to work but should be able to get this benefit that I paid for so that I do not lose everything that I have worked for. I just wanted to share my issues are the same as others I see online. A shame.

By this time it was toward the end of November and I was told that they needed more medical records to support my claim. I inquired if they had requested the records to which I was told "NO". I then again gave them all the contact information for my doctor to request the records they claim to need. At this point I asked to speak to a supervisor hoping that would help. No such luck! At the end of December I called and was told they still have not received anything from my doctors office. So I called to check on the status of the medical records myself only to find out they never even requested any.

At this point I am at a complete loss! I was out of work for 5 weeks. Having to return to work before I should have because I had no income because of Cigna not doing its job! I continued to pay for the insurance though! They never missed that payment! Then on January 14th I received a letter stating they closed my claim for lack of medical records! So in short they don't request the records so they can close the claim and not pay out what is due! Total SCAM! Please do NOT invest your hard earned money in this insurance!

This is extremely worrisome and disheartening since I can't do anything about it. I am on the edge of breakdown. We have spent any extra money we had and since we now have no income we can't even pay for our health insurance which we are about to lose along with our home and vehicle. This is by far the scariest and most stressful situation we have ever encountered. Claim was denied today because of no specific diagnosis. Someone please enlighten me but isn't that why we are seeing these Dr.s and doing tests so we can arrive at an answer? My husband can't go back to work until they figure out what is causing his problems. Which we have found a big lump on the base of his skull that the dr. said could be causing the issues but needs to be evaluated by a neurologist before anything can be done and referring us to Michigan State but we are about to lose our medical insurance which means we can't afford to go.

All we want is to get paid so we can get the medical attention he needs so he can go back to work. This company is the worst. No empathy, no understanding, just worried about their money which is made by those of us who pay for this service which is supposed to help in time of need. What a joke. Help is drive you into the streets and stress you till you are mentally and physically broken. Please someone give us some help and direction.

Original Review: Dec. 23, 2015

This experience being on FMLA during the holidays is already an unexpected and not really a cheerful event. To say the least, it has now become the second worst nightmare I have ever had. I have gotten nothing but the run around since going on leave and submitting the claim per my FMLA case worker. When I finally got to speak with someone at Cigna, he said the claim would be approved - that was two and a half weeks ago. Christmas is on Friday and I have not received an income since my illness.

I don't understand why they keep saying they have received nothing while my doctor insists they have sent almost 20 pages of documentations and notes along with their confirmation numbers. This is crazy and I can guarantee that issues like this do not help anyone get better, in fact this just makes things much worse. But Merry Christmas Cigna reps, I am sure you all will be enjoying your holidays while others who pay in to receive this benefit won't be. Thanks Cigna.

Now I am sitting here unable to make my house payment and pay light bill cause they decided they don't want to pay me for their mistake. It's a shame. 10 days before Christmas and you got to explain to 5 grandkids why you did not get them a Christmas gift. Thanks Cigna. I am not messing around with you people. My lawyer comes in at 930am and I will be notifying him. P.S. Your help department ain't worth what you pay them.

The entire time she knew I needed to fill out a HIPAA release form and NO ONE told me. I called customer service numerous times and spoke with the most unqualified representatives I have ever felt with. No skills, no empathy, monotone, unhelpful and not authorized to help me escalate my concerns or get me in contact with a way to make a formal complaint. I finally got a number for a "manager" and after calling received an out of office with NO information to contact a back up in her absence! At this point I have not gotten my case reopened and have not received ANY pay. I am utterly mystified how they can remain in business.

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from chronic Epstein Barr Reactivation. I need to rest and I need a comfortable place to do so. I would be alright if Cigna would stop threatening my financial stability constantly. My body can't take much more of this stress. I already have a pacemaker because my heart stops when I stand up, but now my doctors say that I have A Fib too. My chest hurts so bad -- don't feel well. All night long I'm running to the bathroom to pee (only 6 feet away from where I sleep) and I find myself out of breath. How is that okay for a 30 year old? I can't work. I experience pain and nausea on a daily basis, and I fight with a parade of other ridiculous medical challenges constantly. Cigna doesn't make things any easier and I've actually lost doctor because of them! This isn't right.

I wish I could work and get this seemingly evil company out of my life, but I can't - I'm not well and I need the benefits that I paid for and am entitled to. Being homeless without an income isn't helping me get back to work any sooner, it's only making me worse. Thanks Cigna for all your support in my time of need. I hope I get my benefits back before...

Updated on 11/10/2015: After several faxes were sent to Cigna claim department, finally they decided to deny my claim stating that their review team did not find significant mobility limitations. Movement is limited. The fax my doctor sent says, "Movement is limited and causes severe pain and the patient is unable to perform any work". Obviously this company's review staff is not going to be helpful. Legal services to be contacted.

Now after all this I have an attorney but I also called the doctor that Cigna uses... He said I wasn't supposed to do that. But... Anyway when I read him the diagnosis and what the doctor said about the medications my husband takes, he said he wouldn't have came to the same conclusions. So anyone out there... Do not appeal, it's a waste of time, just get an attorney and get it over with.

He heard her shuffling papers in the phone and he asked "Are you there?" a few times and she did not answer. We pay every week the premium. I have had to borrow money just to pay this since we are not getting a check. I work full time, but, my check does not cover all of our bills. The doctor has not released him to go back to work and he has not released him to drive a car. My husband is a truck driver. He cannot use his left arm much at all. How are we supposed to live without the insurance money that Cigna is supposed to provide. I don't know what the difference is in Short Term and Long Term, especially since we are paying for it and have been for years, never have used it or attempted to use it until now. Cigna is HORRIBLE, Rip-OFF Insurance.

So I contacted my company regarding my frustration and they contacted Cigna. That didn't sit well with my case mgr **. She not only avoided my calls, but reprimanded me when she finally answered. I am incurring overdraft fees and late fees beyond my control. Credit is ruined and I'm in jeopardy of losing my Cobra insurance for Sept. I will be notifying and documenting everything for my Union and company benefits department. There has to be a better option out there. I wish I could sue Cigna for all the money I'm forced to pay because of their mistakes!!!

My surgery was on the 17th so on the 16th I called and opened my claim, I was told within 5 days I would be contacted by my claim manager (which never happened) and that within ten days my claim would be approved and that once again I had nothing to worry about. Well here it is 9 days later and after opting out of paper notification and wanting email notification I receive a letter in the mail saying they need to make sure this wasn't a pre existing condition because my benefits started in August and my surgery was the 17th of September. Yeah because that makes sense. So here it is 6 days until I lose my job, on a day Cigna isn't even open and they send me a letter saying they need my medical records since May (when I got hired) before they can further review my claim. Are you kidding me? I just had surgery a week ago and they are doing this? Because that's what I need right after surgery. More **.

I also received a letter stating that they have authorization to view my medical records as far back as necessary because I gave them this authorization. SO WHY AM I GETTING A LETTER SAYING I HAVE TO SEND IN EVERY DOCTOR I'VE BEEN TO SINCE MAY AND EVERY PRESCRIPTION I'VE HAD SINCE MAY. I'm 19 years old and in danger of losing my job because of their lack of ability to do their jobs. I work in a call center. And I know from experience that these people have no idea what they are even talking about. It's pretty easy to tell that their agents aren't properly trained and that they have no idea how to do their jobs.

Apparently it's easier for them to just extend the approval date so I lose my job and they don't have to pay me rather than just do their jobs. Will be calling a lawyer in the morning and suing if this isn't resolved by Friday, since when I called yesterday they told me "it will be approved here soon and we don't need anymore paperwork or anything from you, it's just going through all the computer authorizations". CIGNA IS A JOKE. Apparently you should know about a month before you have an emergency and need to be out of work to give Cigna the time to get their ** together.

I hit this very high point of stress when my son started having medical problems that couldn't be explained. It was enough that I couldn't handle things. I could barely think. I couldn't sleep. Needless to say I had to be medication pretty heavily to control my symptoms and I was put on a leave of absence. Supported by my psychiatrist, primary doctor, and therapist. Then my problem comes. My work decided to terminate my job because of the length of my leave.

Within 2 weeks Cigna decides to retract my already approved LTD case that was approved until my next appointment and deny it. What is even worse is in the denial, the reference medical records prior to my disability dates AND state. That because I was able to look for jobs. How can I look for jobs when I am not even released to go back to work? Completely false information.

So I appeal. Again the deny. And again they reference records prior to my disability but they don't reference just a few months this time. They go back years! Not only that but again they a reason for denial was based on a fact that I was able to attend night school. What??? I finished school 5 years ago!! They used inaccurate and false information to deny my claim. Yes I attended school but 5 years before I was put on disability and I wasn't looking for a job. I am sure at some point in my records I would have discussed that with my doctor but this is wrong.

So I did some research and calling. You can file a complaint with your state that looks over the insurance carriers. I live in Iowa so I was able to file a complaint with the Iowa Insurance Division to see if they can look into this. I have tried to call Cigna questioning them an their bases and request of the records in which they used but have not gotten a response.

About two months ago I received a new claim worker who has issued one check for me and never one again. They are currently seven weeks behind on payments. I was forced to pay for MY OWN medical records which costed $40 (that I had to borrow) under the impression that once I paid said fee my records would be cleared and Cigna would cut a check. I have been informed that my records have been reviewed but my case has been denied and is still closed. My doctor told me two weeks ago to remain out of work for three months yet but to call him if I feel up to going back. I'm being forced to lie to my doctor so I can get back to work so that me and my 3 children are not put out on the street. I'm so stressed and don't know what to do.

Guess what though? Cigna and their team of "independent" lawyers and doctors hen picked the claim and denied me of my claim and benefits. My doctors are dumbfounded at how they could come to their conclusion. I'm on my third appeal with them now. I have a certain amount of time to appeal. Meghan hasn't replied to my emails in three weeks so my time is ticking away. What is the laymen to do? They are a corporate monster and you are at their mercy. God help you if you are ever in my situation.

I do not know how they can close your claim without notifying you and especially if you still ill and not released to return to work. I am on permanent disability. Multiple medical problems. I have adrenal insufficiency and carry emergency IM doses with me for when I have increased stress. I just had to give myself an injection because Cigna has caused my stress level to increase. How can they do this without notifying me? They offered me $140,000 a few years ago and I said, "No, I need a monthly check." Cigna is turning my life upside down.

My only advice in dealing with CIGNA is hire yourself a lawyer immediately even before you filing your first claim. Expect that they table search for anyway to keep from paying including perhaps waiting for you to die. This company should be shut down. Its practices are egregious and injurious to those who have paid for disability and receive little but grief in return. If you have any choice in your disability insurance company, do NOT choose Cigna. The mafia probably offers better coverage. My case is just been denied for the third time. If I could sue these bastards into bankruptcy I would be happy to do so. They deserve no less.

Updated on 08/14/2015: I received one message thus far from CIGNA and now the website indicates there is resolution in progress. I think that's a long stretch. This is my response to the company: I appreciate your response although it strikes me as being primarily public relations as Cigna representatives assigned to my case should be able to recognize a chronic condition that has been twice approved for payment by an independent medical board. I will of course contact my lawyer before engaging in further contact with you as I have little reason to trust any company representative.

My bank account is in the negative and my bills are piling up over my head. My family and I are beyond stressed because we don't know where our next meal is coming from plus we don't know if we will have a home to live in next month. Cigna has not sent any checks for the month of July and the checks before that has always been late by 3 to 4 weeks, which by that time I had to paying late fees. No one at Cigna care about the well-being of my family and I, and with me being the sole provider of the home and this is the only way I receive income, we don't know what to do...

I am having to apply for food stamps and have exhausted my savings. I am living on borrowed money. I bought this policy and paid a hefty premium each pay period for the peace of mind that it would be there for me if I ever needed it between now and retirement. I do not understand how they can do this to people. I have regular panic attacks because of this. It is not right. They should not be allowed to pay for that length of time and cut you off with no notice. It just isn't right.

Today was the final straw. I called to assure they had faxed the information once again and, I was told that the number they are calling for my Dr is not valid. I verified the phone number and it is the number I call each and everyday and this number is in good working order. I have asked to speak with supervisor and all I am told is they are in meetings and all that can be done is for me to leave message. I have now been without a disability check for 2 weeks. Fortunately, I do not rely on this income. I wonder what happens to individuals who have to rely on this income for rent, food, etc. This is unacceptable customer service. I have placed a complaint with my company and will continue to call Cigna until this matter is resolved. This should not happen to ANYBODY who is injured.

Last month my Long Term Disability was denied by CIGNA, my insurance company for disability. After dealing with and managing my back pain for more than 20 years, in February of 2013 I had a spinal fusion L4 to S1 for ruptured disks. Though it seemed initially a success, I began rejecting the hardware after about 3 months. In short - prior to having the hardware removal in Nov 2014, I was nearly on complete bed rest due to pain & migraines. In January of 2015, after it was removed, I was able to get out of bed for short periods. I participated in Physical Therapy and had many steroid injections over the past year for both migraines and severe back pain. Also I have visited the ER 3 times in the past year for the migraines as they were too severe for medications allowed for Instacare/Urgent Care.

Currently I live with family as I can not take care of my daily needs. I can only sit for about 20min before becoming uncomfortable, and walking isn't much better. At home, I use a cane or walker depending how I feel. My TOTAL activity per day being sitting/standing/walking despite 45mg of Morphine, ER twice a day is 3.5 - 4 hours. If push through the pain, I will end up in bed for 12 hours to 3 days a time with a severe migraine. This is actually improved from being out of bed for 1 hour & having a migraine for a week & 1/2.

After assessment by ** as a IME last December 2014 to evaluate my claim, my LTD was denied - closed. My total LTD will be 2 years July 2, 2015. I was given a final check through that date. My PCP completely disagrees with **'s assessment of my disability. In fact, it is so inaccurate that though ** stated I had "good balance & a stable gate" on his report to CIGNA, but at the beginning of his assessment he told me to use my walker because I nearly fell. Oh and he never mentioned that or the walker in his assessment.

I am in the process of getting a letter from my PCP to appeal CIGNA's decision. After reading comments in reference to CIGNA and ** on the web including previous court information, I am now concerned that I will need additional assistance in fighting this. Can you represent me or do you have information and references to attorneys that can help me find representation in Utah?

Updated on 06/28/2015

I wrote Cigna's CEO several emails and even attached office notes and test results to one of them. Cigna is insisting on an independent medical exam (IME) from an objective doctor even AFTER reviewing office notes from my doctor who reported, very clearly, that I am disabled, have been and will continue to be disabled until surgery. Their insistence on this IME from an "unbiased" doctor pique my curiosity about who this doctor is and his/her credibility. Stating the word bias or unbiased should tell all of us that Cigna embraces both.

After researching this "unbiased" doctor, I discovered 32 complaints all citing same issue: inaccurate diagnosis. I would like to believe a company I pay to protect me would be ethical, but Cigna's insistence that I participate in an IME with a doctor who is riddled with complaints and has an overall review of (1) star, confirms that Cigna supports and endorses bad service. I encourage all of you who are about to embark on a LTD claim with Cigna, get an attorney AND PLEASE ask your doctors to excuse you from work starting day 1 of your STD, get all your office notes and ask for every exam, MRI, X-ray, etc., that will support your disability.

This was the first event, this complaint was dismissed, and then it was resurrected. Something illegal is going on, since the complaint is the rambling of a mentally compromised client, and there is nowhere in my contract with Cigna does it state, anything about making a report to the national data bank. I have tried repeatedly to contact the corporate office, and I keep hearing from people, who can do nothing and waste more of my time. I was told, I had a good lawsuit, and that **, if I had disclosed any of the information of my intellectual property it would be extortion. The only reason, I DID not was I was not even familiar with this national data bank and I did not even know it existed. Had I known, and the destruction that it can cause, I would have felt no other option, and then it truly would be extortion. There is nowhere it indicates that I can't be holistic and use natural means, to help my clients. This is why they are corrupt.

Original Review: May 30, 2015

Cigna is a corrupt company. In October 2013, I started to have problems with maintaining my balance when walking. I went in to have a rare tumor on my appendix removed. Was walking normally before but immediately after surgery, started losing my balance. My walking and balance issues continued to worsen over the next few months. In March 2014, an MRI of my spine provided the causes of this: severe spinal stenosis and scoliosis, the worst case my spine surgeon had ever seen. I had such severe nerve compression that I shouldn't have been able to walk at all. I had lost most of my feeling from the knees down, in both legs and feet, which made every step feel like I was walking on quicksand. I had 3 discs removed and an 8-piece set of rods and screws put in my lower back. While the surgery was successful, it didn't guarantee a good outcome or full recovery.

I have been on first short-term then long-term disability with Cigna since August 2014. Before, during, and after my surgery, I was in the hospital for 3 weeks and nursing home for 4 weeks. Post surgery, I have done everything possible to get well. I continue weekly PT. I still have the numbness, loss of balance, not able to drive, can walk short distances on level surfaces with an adult with me when out of the house, and I must hold onto my walker with both hands in order to not lose my balance and fall. Beginning in October 2014, I went 10 weeks without pay as Cigna repeatedly kept saying that none of my doctors or the hospital were sending them my medical records. Here I am, in the hospital then a nursing home, making repeated, unnecessary phone calls and being told by everyone that yes indeed, they have sent, faxed, re-faxed Cigna my medical records.

I'd wait a few days, call my Cigna agent again, only to be told the same thing...they'd received nothing. I knew they were lying then. I had to escalate things to my agent's team leader. Again, multiple phone calls, added stress and worries. Just before Christmas and just before my bank account was overdrawn, they finally sent the weeks of owed pay. I had a serious, complicated spinal surgery mid-November 2014, was gone from home for 7 weeks, and had to put up with this poor level of service from Cigna? Oh, it just gets better folks. Two weeks ago, Cigna closed my claim and now I have no income. My ortho office made a mistake in my chart at my last visit to say that I have a stable gait. The ortho made the correction, faxed it to Cigna, and they still are denying my claim.

They did 3 things to justify my denial: 1) They omitted all of the latest office visit notes from my PCP that states that I am still needing the use of a wheelchair, walker, driver, attending weekly PT, and under the care of the ortho, 2) Despite very detailed record from my ortho and their corrected mistake, Cigna believes that gait is now stable, and 3) I had to visit a wound care clinic weekly for months because the incision in my back would not heal, and Cigna has misused this doctor's notes that read that "my wound has healed" to mean that "I am totally healed." I am planning an appeal, but I'm not too hopeful to get any further payments from them. I can't afford an attorney. I have enough money to last me maybe 2 more weeks and after that...I don't know how I'm supposed to buy food, medicine, or anything else. I have never been more angry and anxious in my entire life.

I also have other health problems I am struggling with. I don't need this extra stress. For whatever good it may do, I plan to write to my State's Attorney General. Cigna already has many lawsuits against them for wrongfully denying disability benefits. Somehow, they're continuing to get away with this. I'm going to lose my home and everything I've worked hard for my entire life if they deny my appeal. I'm so stressed out, maybe I'll have a stroke before this happens. My final words: THE EMPLOYEES AT CIGNA ARE NOT INCOMPETENT, THEY ARE VERY CUNNING AND CORRUPT. They should be forced to change their ways or stop doing business in this country.

I then filed my LTD claim. They denied me because they said I didn't have the insurance at time of disablement. I asked when it ran out. They said the day after my last day of work. I said, "Then I qualify as I worked half a day and claimed disability that day." They still denied it, but did not give additional reasoning. So I appealed and they keep standing by it even though they will not tell me at what hour I lost benefits. They simply tell me they do not honor Social Security judge. With the illness and eventual death of my father, I became side-tracked from appeal process, but am back at it. I sent more documents to them, but have yet to hear anything.

I'm a 60 year old man, these just leaves me high and dry. I suffer from fatigue, depression, and lumbar pain. I don't know what to do, I finally decided it would be in my best interest to hire an attorney. In the meantime, I hope I don't run through my retirement to keep up on living and medical expenses. No true offer of help was offered from Cigna. Cigna is certainly the worst insurance company that I have ever encountered.

On Wednesday I was told my claim is with ** the nurse at Cigna and they needed information from my doctor. I got **'s number from ** my case Mgr and gave it to my doctor. The Dr called AND spoke to ** while I was there AND he has everything he needs. I was told last Friday I should have a decision from in 24-48 hrs. Still no information from case Mgr ** who basically told me not call he would call me. We are going broke. I will file a complaint with our city council who approves our benefits. This civil servant is in tears and frustrated from the lack of customer service and lack of caring of this company.

Since I had no previous history of mental illness I sought answers. I have a history of hypothyroidism which can affect mental health greatly. I am also anemic and unable to absorb iron through food so I get infusions monthly through an IV. Additionally, my recent attacks brought on high blood pressure, chest pains and ironically, low heart rate. Lastly, my reproductive system had been haywire in the months prior. At the advice of my doctor I filed for FMLA which was immediately approved. I collected the weeks of PTO I earned through my employer to cover the first 14 days of my absence and filed for STD through Cigna to cover any days after that. In the meantime, I scheduled an appointment with an Endocrinologist and Cardiologist to determine what medical factors may be causing my mental health issues.

The Cigna claims specialist handling my case was attentive at first. She moved quickly, explaining that my claim was approved and I was paid for the first week. She said that I needed to update her every time I had a scheduled appointment with doctors names, etc so she could keep my claim open to be paid weekly as my condition was assessed. I called her with every update of doctor visits and scheduled appointments and here is where the nightmare begins. Rather than accepting updated time off requests from my primary care doctor pending specialist appointments, Cigna stopped paying after just one week stating they needed notes from my specialist visits which were scheduled the following week.

Also, the mental health nurse from Cigna contacted me and her line of questioning and tone suggested that my doctors recommendation was unreasonable. She stated, "most people with depression return to work in 2-4 weeks so I don't understand why he is recommending 30 days to 6 months." First of all, he is my doctor and you are a nurse. Secondly, I explained that my doctor suggested that what was happening to me mentally could likely be a result of something medically. She interrupted by reminding me that she is not concerned with the medical part, only the mental part. I told her they are related. She ignored that.

After seeing the Endocrinologist and Cardiologist I called my claims rep to advise her that I had follow up appointments with both for additional testing because further medical issues were detected, pending diagnosis which are 4 weeks out because of required testing. She said she needed the specific notes from those visits to pay my claim and she faxed a request for them awaiting response. I called the doc offices personally and obtained the notes within 5 minutes then faxed them directly to my rep at her request. This was 2 days ago. I called today for an update and was told it is her day off but they got my notes and it can take up to 3 days for her to look at them. Today is day 3, her day off. This new rep I spoke with now says the claim is pending because the mental health nurse wants to talk to my doctor who took me off work in the first place AND submitted his notes 2 weeks ago.

It is May 6th. My last and only claim paid was through April 22nd with no hope for another payment. It is ridiculous that a sick person with a so called benefit has to make so many calls, send so many faxes and keep this insurance company updated on my every move only to be told more info is needed. If I wasn't having anxiety attacks and insomnia before, I certainly am now. How is it that a doctor can send orders and they question it all? I work. I want to go back to work as soon as I can. In the meantime, dealing with Cigna is contributing to my stress, not preventing it. If I have a heart attack due to stress related hypertension and die, I guess they won't have to pay me. Perhaps that is the goal?? Seriously, a sick person should not have to fight this hard for a benefit on a doctor's recommended leave which is also FMLA protected. Cigna... what a STD scam!

They approved my claim for 1 day. $92, then denied it 5 weeks later. Also made me file a new claim and I have to wait another 14 day waiting period. And since I'm having a scheduled c-section - due to a macro baby from having GD- they state they won't pay more than 4 weeks now??? What?? Who the hell are these crooks. I pay for coverage in the event I need it...and I need it. How can I survive on $92 for 6 weeks? And then have to wait and see if I am covered for my new claim (which my son will be born in 4 days) which means another 2 week waiting period. Talk about stressful. I'm hiring an attorney, no one should have to go through this kind of nonsense. Crooks!! Negative 10 stars.

Up until this point, I had no income but at least I had a job. Cigna quickly approved my LTD claim. I honestly had no problems initially. Due to my not having medical coverage, I really couldn't afford to see a specialist or continue treatment. Cigna was kind enough to set up an appointment for me with a doctor... He was nothing to brag on but I really had no room to complain. My benefits continued. But the second doctor appointment scheduled by Cigna has given me nightmares and anxiety.

I went in to see a doctor in Memphis. I had to wait for about 1 hour and 45 minutes before going back to a room. When I got into that room, I was told I was going to be scoped, my nose was numbed. The doctor came in and introduced himself and quickly scoped me. He then told Me that I needed to see a voice specialist. I was also told that I needed to return to the waiting area and anticipate the scheduling nurse coming out to speak with me. She would get me that appointment.

Well she did call me, but she didn't schedule that appointment. She told me that it would be better if I did, plus she has a hearing problem. I battled to speak and she battled to hear... but she did finally confirm that my husband could help me schedule the appointment. She advised that the staff was very nice. She gave me a card with his name on it and thanked me for my time. So immediately when I got home, I called ** who is my claims rep. I told her how things went and she told me that I should just wait on the appointment until she receives the doctor's report.

I was advised by ** on Friday, April 17th that I received a full sensory exam during that appointment and I have no communication barriers. For one, I didn't receive a sensory exam. And two, why would the doctor refer me to a voice specialist if he saw nothing to be concerned about? My voice has given me trouble for a full year... I have no income. When I attempt conversation, I become short of breath. The claim has been closed!!! I'm so confused.

Now to the present... I had a neurological assessment in Oct 2013 for social security and the results approved my disability claim and placed my funds in the hands of a custodian. Cigna in November of 2014 requested I undergo the same testing under their own approved neuro psych assessment and that psychologist stated that despite evidence that I fell below standards and only an IQ of 79 that it was not due to injuries from the brain, rather from an anxiety disorder undefined. My neurologist scoffed it off and indicated on my files that there is no evidence of anxiety. At this time, I received a letter that my 24 month of coverage will expire in June 2014. That at such a time if I find a job that pays 60% gross of my salary before the accident which is what they are paying me now... the insurance will end.

I believe the Doctor who conducted the test and who is paid by Cigna misdiagnosed the findings. I sold my home and live in an apartment barely making ends meet where before the accident I made over 6 figures, successfully obtained the following licenses: Investment Broker, Insurance license, Health and Annuity license, Real estate Sales License, Open water scuba diver and experienced Horse Back Rider. Held SVP executive Management position with over 70 direct reports. Do they honestly believe I am at that same level? It is not that I don't want to work... God knows I wish up I was what I was before accident. How can they stay open as a company with so many complaints?!! I just don't know what I can do at this point... It has been a constant uncomfortable experience with them... Help!!!

I cannot perform my job as a bus driver any longer. My Medical DOT card was up for renewal and I could not in all honesty apply for it with these powerful drugs. So I am no longer a working professional driver. The State and Federal Guidelines are against it. I am caught in a catch-22. I get the meds and I am very careful how I take them. It takes the edge off, does not stop it completely. The nerve pain will still shoot me down my hips and legs, brings me to a stop to regroup. With or with out them I cannot perform the job. I get the 2nd letter stating they need maybe 30 more days to assess the case. I called them and left a message. I told them TIME'S UP. I am calling the Florida Insurance Commission and a lawyer: Office of the Commissioner, 850-413-3140, InsuranceCommissioner@floir.com/ Consumer Services (Questions/Complaints), 877-693-5236 (In Florida)

They advised me to give them the 30 days because there will be an additional 20 days. She said wait it out then if they come back with a negative response, call back. They will call them and requests the records! :) Call THE STATES Insurance Commission. I will come back and give anyone here a follow up to my case. Best wishes to all you feel the pain and stress of trying to manage the dysfunction of Insurance Companies.

My benefits were ended in October 2014 and I appealed the decision. I had only asked that Cigna wait until a diagnosis/prognosis had been made regarding the new medical issues I was experiencing, which in fact were even more debilitating than my established disability. I had made every attempt possible to return to full health and employment during my time on disability at a great cost financially and emotionally.

When Cigna responded to my appeal, that is when the rep actually admitted that there were no records requested since April of 2014. This rep has proven equally dishonest and/or incompetent and has now over the course of 2 months failed to get copies of my medical records - she actually sent a release where the date had expired.

I myself have faxed medical evidence to this rep, which has not even been acknowledged and I will only say that it appears that yet another surgery will be required but still my benefits have not been restored. I have already spoken to an attorney and am ready and eager to pursue legal action as I know that Cigna would deny my appeal even if I were lying in a coma. The truth is that Cigna knows they will be sued and they do not care as the only penalty will be to pay claimants what they owe them. This needs to change but our elected representatives are too beholden to insurance companies for this corrupted system to ever be reformed.

Cigna is a deeply dishonest and immoral company and anyone needing more proof of that should read about the settlements they had to make with 5 states that sanctioned them. I am going to be petitioning the insurance commissioner for my own state to investigate Cigna. If you have reached this site, you probably already know how horrible Cigna's business practices are, but if you are even considering buying any insurance product from Cigna, I would strongly urge you to reconsider. I can never forgive this company for the despicable way that they have treated me and I would hate to see anybody else go through this hell.