GEORGIA POST OPS PLASTIC SURGERY QUESTION

My insurance company has approved my breast lift and tummy tuck. I found out today that the plastic surgeon I'm using is going to charge me for the operating room and anesthesia because I chose to have implants... even though those charges are covered for my other procedures already. I honestly feel I am being taken to the cleaners. The PS wants almost $7,000 out of my pocket for the procedure if I have implants. 1. How essential are the implants? 2. Has anyone used a surgeon who has allowed the insurance to pay for everything and have let you pay for the implants? 3. Has anyone else experienced this type of double charging???? Thanks!!! Liz 5/24/04 237/110

Hi Liz, I don't have an answer to your question, but I DO wonder who your insurance carrier is, and what kind of supporting info you had to give to get this approved? I wish I could help. Tami

Glad to see you posting over here. I saw the same PS office that you did and I was told the same thing. they told me the extra time and anesthesia is for a prolonged procedure....and this is the price for an extra hour or so of work that isn't part of the procedure to put the implants in. Didn't make much sense and I'm probably going to have to have that done as a separate procedure (if I get it done at all.) Hope that helps! Dee Dee

Dee Dee, Its called back billing the patient, honestly move on there are so many other plastic guys out there. My surgeon was and still is Dr. Losken and he is fabulous and wonderful. Let me know if I can help you. Crece

Hi Liz, As for one who helps those get their plastics overturned, my advice would be to find another one. Who is your doctor doing your surgery? If your insurance company has approved you they will not cover any impants unless you have cancer but, on the other hand you WILL have to cash pay for the implants. I can reccomend Dr. Albert Losken who I PERSONALLY know who will not do this to you and he will expedit your transition to his office and he will accept payment provided he is in your network. This sounds like whomever you are using is not being paid enough and wants to back bill you the difference. If you want to e-mail more about it you can respond back and I will give you my number and we can talk more openly about our situation, if you'd like. Liz, Again, I am more than willing to help you get the procedures covered using one of the best plastic and reconstruction docs out there. Waiting to hear from you! Crece