Question:
I was told that my insurance won't pay for the assistant surgeon..

Has anyone had to pay up front for the assistant surgeon? I have BSBS and I was told they won't pay for it and the fee has to be paid up front before surgery.    — joann35654 (posted on February 4, 2003)

February 4, 2003
I have BCBS of AL and they paid for the assistant surgeon. Are you sure they said they won't pay for the ASSISTANT SURGEON or is the SURGEON ASSISTANT they won't pay for. One is an MD, the other is not. Another surgeon here uses a SA (Surgical Assistant) and I know people who used him and had to pay out-of-pocket for the SA fees as insurance won't cover it. It's a big difference to insurance companies whether it is an Assistant Surgeon who is an MD or whether it is an SA. Find out from your surgeon which it is. If it is an MD, then then call your insurance company back and ask why they won't cover it.
   — Carolyn I.

February 4, 2003
I had Regence BCBS of Washington at the time of my surgery and I was told that they wouldn't pay for the PRIMARY surgeon and I had to pay that amount up front ($7,000, supposedly discounted by 50%). The surgeon's office people also told me that one of their patients with BCBS submitted a claim for the $7,000 to BCBS and received 60% of the money from them (I met her at the support group and she verified it). I did the same thing recently, but haven't heard anything yet. ~Cheryl
   — Cheryl D.