Anyone have Cigna?

AppleGrapeMSTK

I am trying to call the insurance to get information about breast pump coverage, and the website is vague and not very helpful.  I called the customer service line and it only gives me an automated menu system that is hard to navigate.

Does anyone know how I can talk to an actual person through the 800 number I'm given?

MrMrsandBaby

I don't have Cigna but I just keep hitting 0 until someone picks up.  Or don't press anything, sometimes that works.

Wino411

I have Cigna. I called about the breast pump coverage a while ago, can't remember how I navigated to get to a person but I don't remember having a hard time doing so. But what I do remember (and it may depend on your coverage) but I need a prescription from a doctor for a breast pump after baby's born and then I could select a pump from one of their vendors. They also have some Healthy Babies Program but I honestly can't remember what that was all about. 

AppleGrapeMSTK

When I hit 0 the voice said, "Sorry, I didn't understand that."  I waited a while and it kept repeating the menu.    Maybe when it says, "State your reason for calling," I can just say, "I WANT TO TALK TO A REAL PERSON."

ADH0906

^i have Cigna, and that's exactly what I did too. It must depend on your coverage, because I can get mine any time after 28 weeks. She did say that I needed to go through their vendor and i'd have to accept whatever type was on the shelf that day, which I threw a fit about. Her response was "well, not everyone gets the Medela they want" and I was too angry to try to figure out another option. I called another time and was told that you can get it elsewhere as long as it's one of their approved vendors, but the woman couldn't tell me how I figure that out. Insurance is so frustrating. Good luck!

asarem93

Sign up for the cigna healthy babies program. It gives you a direct line to a person and a nurse if you ever have questions. It's great! From what I understand, they cover a breast pump but you have to get a prescription for it and can't get it until after you deliver.

asarem93

(800) 615-2906 that's the Number for the healthy babies program. It only takes a few min.

AppleGrapeMSTK

I called earlier and the only option I could get was "send fax,' so I had them fax it to my work.  I got it just now, and it's just a run-down of my coverage for ER and PCP visits and such.  NOT what I needed.  I called just not and literally said, 'I want to speak to a person,' and it connected me right away, woohoo!

But the lady was super not helpful.  All she told me was that I was covered for a rental up-to the purchase price, and to call the vendor directly.  No information about how far along I had to be or if the baby had to be here already.  Before I could ask any more questions she said, "Good luck, have a nice day!"  Wtf.  

Katedann

I have Cigna and have always had good luck caling customer service. Just say "speak to a representative" whenever it gives you a chance. I don't think I've ever had to wait more than a minute or so and they've always been very helpful!

Wino411

AppleGrapeMSTK said:

I called earlier and the only option I could get was "send fax,' so I had them fax it to my work.  I got it just now, and it's just a run-down of my coverage for ER and PCP visits and such.  NOT what I needed.  I called just not and literally said, 'I want to speak to a person,' and it connected me right away, woohoo!

But the lady was super not helpful.  All she told me was that I was covered for a rental up-to the purchase price, and to call the vendor directly.  No information about how far along I had to be or if the baby had to be here already.  Before I could ask any more questions she said, "Good luck, have a nice day!"  Wtf.  

I'm notorious for yelling "CUSTOMER SERVICE!" lol. That usually works. 

meggiev123

I have Cigna Envoy (the international version) and oddly their policy is different on the breast pump. They told me I could buy it anywhere, and they reimbursed me the medela pump in style I bought at target, also no phone issues. Not sure if it's the same system, but I think I always just say representative and it works. Man, I hate automated phone systems though. I was on hold waiting for a British Airlines rep for 30 minutes today because they cancelled one of my upcoming flight legs. Argh  

Emerald27

If you keep pressing 0, even if it acts like it'll just repeat the menu, oftentimes eventually it will connect you to an actual human.

I hate hate hate talking to insurance companies. >:P

irisheyes317

AppleGrapeMSTK said: I called earlier and the only option I could get was "send fax,' so I had them fax it to my work.  I got it just now, and it's just a run-down of my coverage for ER and PCP visits and such.  NOT what I needed.  I called just not and literally said, 'I want to speak to a person,' and it connected me right away, woohoo!
But the lady was super not helpful.  All she told me was that I was covered for a rental up-to the purchase price, and to call the vendor directly.  No information about how far along I had to be or if the baby had to be here already.  Before I could ask any more questions she said, "Good luck, have a nice day!"  Wtf.   _______________QUOTE FAIL

I actually just talked to Cigna earlier today about this!  I got a live person when I called to ask a question about a claim, and then asked about the pump too.  I got the same info that they would cover a rental up to purchase price or I could go directly through one of two vendors to purchase.  I checked out the vendors' websites, and one of them is pretty good. It lets you enter your info, and then can give you information on when you can order.  With my coverage, it looks like the earliest I can order is 30 days before my due date.  There were three choices of pumps and I know one was a Medela.  Good luck!

TheOtherJacobsons

I wanted a Medela pump and found this site, which is Medela's insurance pump lookup. Turns out the one I want is covered under my plan (I have a Cigna PPO), but before I buy anything I will have to endure the voice prompt hell so I can verify with Cigna that it will be covered. I have had to call them before and I was able to speak to a real live person fairly easily, but I was calling about a claim, so maybe that was the difference.

Medela Insurance Pump Lookup

ADH0906

TheOtherJacobsons said:

I wanted a Medela pump and found this site, which is Medela's insurance pump lookup. Turns out the one I want is covered under my plan (I have a Cigna PPO), but before I buy anything I will have to endure the voice prompt hell so I can verify with Cigna that it will be covered. I have had to call them before and I was able to speak to a real live person fairly easily, but I was calling about a claim, so maybe that was the difference.

Medela Insurance Pump Lookup

Thanks for the link!

DaniGrace89

Yep. They will send you to a vendor, where at 28 weeks you can get your free pump with a prescription

[Deleted User]

I have Cigna! I'll have to call tomorrow and see what they say. Ps I also hate the automated phone systems. I swear they always think I say something other than what I say and I end up talking to someone that can't help me in any way. Grrr.

AppleGrapeMSTK

irisheyes317 said:

AppleGrapeMSTK said:

I called earlier and the only option I could get was "send fax,' so I had them fax it to my work.  I got it just now, and it's just a run-down of my coverage for ER and PCP visits and such.  NOT what I needed.  I called just not and literally said, 'I want to speak to a person,' and it connected me right away, woohoo!

But the lady was super not helpful.  All she told me was that I was covered for a rental up-to the purchase price, and to call the vendor directly.  No information about how far along I had to be or if the baby had to be here already.  Before I could ask any more questions she said, "Good luck, have a nice day!"  Wtf.  

_______________QUOTE FAIL

I actually just talked to Cigna earlier today about this!  I got a live person when I called to ask a question about a claim, and then asked about the pump too.  I got the same info that they would cover a rental up to purchase price or I could go directly through one of two vendors to purchase.  I checked out the vendors' websites, and one of them is pretty good. It lets you enter your info, and then can give you information on when you can order.  With my coverage, it looks like the earliest I can order is 30 days before my due date.  There were three choices of pumps and I know one was a Medela.  Good luck! I was only given one vendor (maybe my coverage), and the website for the vendor does not give me any information or ability to view products.  Ugh.