What does Cigna typically require for Breyanzi coverage?

FDA-approved indication: r/r LBCL 2L+ primary-refractory or relapse =18. ECOG 0-2. LVEF >=40%, CrCl >=30, AST/ALT =750, plt >=50K. Administered at FACT-accredited REMS-certified ATC. Bridging + Flu/Cy LD bundled.

Cigna · Breyanzi · US health-plan appeal rights

Breyanzi denied as non-formulary by Cigna?

Q: How long do I have to appeal a Cigna Breyanzi denial?

Internal appeal window: Typically 180 days from the denial date. External review window: Typically 60–120 days after the final internal denial. The clock starts from the date on the denial letter.

Non-formulary doesn't mean uncoverable. Most plans have a formulary-exception process: the appeal needs to show the formulary alternatives are inappropriate for your specific clinical situation.

By Michael John Ryan, Founder & Privacy Officer, DenialHelp, LLC

Last reviewed 2026-05-09

Policy data current as of 2026-04-26

US health-plan appeal rights

Cite: Most US health plans have appeal rights under either the ACA, ERISA, or Medicare/Medicaid rules

Most US health plans are required by federal law to give you both an internal appeal (where the insurer reconsiders) and an external review (where an independent reviewer decides). The exact timelines and processes depend on what kind of plan you have — marketplace / employer group, self-funded, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid MCO — but in every case there's a window after the denial during which you have the right to fight it.

Internal appeal window

Typically 180 days from the denial date

External review window

Typically 60–120 days after the final internal denial

What Cigna typically requires

FDA-approved indication: r/r LBCL 2L+ primary-refractory or relapse <=12 mo (Jun 2022 TRANSFORM) OR 3L+ (Feb 2021 TRANSCEND) OR r/r CLL/SLL after BTKi + BCL2i (Mar 2024) OR r/r MCL post-BTKi (May 2024) OR r/r FL 3L+ (May 2024). Age >=18. ECOG 0-2. LVEF >=40%, CrCl >=30, AST/ALT <5x ULN, total bili <2.0, ANC >=750, plt >=50K. Administered at FACT-accredited REMS-certified ATC. Bridging + Flu/Cy LD bundled.

Source policy: Cigna Medical Coverage Policy 0552 — Lisocabtagene Maraleucel (Breyanzi)

What works in the appeal

TRANSFORM (Kamdar Lancet 2022;399:2294) — Breyanzi vs SOC chemo + auto-HSCT in 2L LBCL with EFS HR 0.36 — basis for FDA Jun 24 2022 2L approval. TRANSCEND-CLL-004 (Siddiqi Lancet 2023) → FDA Mar 14 2024 CLL/SLL. TRANSCEND-NHL-001 MCL cohort (Wang Blood 2024) → FDA May 30 2024 MCL. TRANSCEND-FL (Morschhauser Nat Med 2024) → FDA May 15 2024 FL. All FDA-approved + NCCN-listed; CMS NCD 110.24 covers. Breyanzi label permits outpatient infusion at trained ATCs (lower-grade CRS profile per TRANSCEND). Re-treatment after prior anti-CD19 not excluded per label.

Next steps

Find the date on the denial letter — your appeal window starts there.
Read your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for the specific deadlines.
Request the insurer's claim file in writing — they must provide it.
Submit your appeal in writing with new clinical evidence and a physician statement.

Get the letter drafted

DenialHelp drafts your appeal in 5 minutes — $40 list price, $30 for your first letter (use code SEO25). We cite the federal regs and the specific clinical evidence your plan responds to. Your physician signs and sends.

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Related appeal guides

Other Cigna appeals

Other denial reasons for Cigna Breyanzi

denied as not medically necessary denied for failing step therapy denied for missing prior authorization denied as experimental or investigational denied as not FDA-approved for this use

This guide describes general US federal appeal rights based on Most US health plans have appeal rights under either the ACA, ERISA, or Medicare/Medicaid rules. Your specific plan documents (Summary of Benefits and Coverage, Evidence of Coverage) override anything here. DenialHelp is not your lawyer and not your physician — we draft appeal letters that your physician signs. Outcomes depend on your insurer's decision and factors outside our control. Reviewed by Michael John Ryan on 2026-05-09. Editorial standards: denialhelp.com/authors.