Guest guest Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 , I can verify that Dr. Boachie no longer takes insurance. His hospital (HSS) does, but he does not. To have some of my hardware removed, he is charging $10,000, payable in three increments. I don’t know what he charges for a complete revision. Sorry for the bad news. Best,AndyBoulder CO From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 9:39 PM Subject: Paying Dr. Boachie??? We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr.Boachie does not take insurance.Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutely outrageous,if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revisionsurgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fractionof 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revisionsurgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost atleast $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with fullawareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work withindigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he wouldlimit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularlysince those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have morelimited incomes than the average middle-class person after becoming toodisabled to continue our careers.Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and was morethan ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have any problemwith my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was verygracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago area todiscuss my case and the need for surgery.When I heard not long afterwards that " Dr. Boachie does not takeinsurance, " I was floored.Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see ifit's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information that makesit less dire than it sounds?I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement from anysurgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, ifthis has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliated medicalgroup). It is just totally mystifying to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks for the update, Andy. Tricia called his office this morning, since she needs a second opinion. I also appreciate the information she was able to provide. She was told that Dr. Boachie will supply the paperwork so that you can bill the insurance company yourself. Is that what you're referring to? I hope you aren't saying that he actually requires people whose insurance would cover his surgery to pay out of pocket and not bring the insurance carrier in on it??? If that is the case, I guess I still need clarification as to whether the person Tricia she talked to might have been referring only to outpatient appointments with him . . . I'm also wondering what the reason could be for his unusual billing protocol. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we've encountered such a difficult and discouraging situation re billing in any other spinal surgery practice. What is your thinking -- or what is your plan at this point -- with respect to the proposed hardware removal? Anyone in Denver you would trust to do it, or are you heading to NY? Or maybe trying to tolerate the intolerable for a while longer? Best, > > , > > > > I can verify that Dr. Boachie no longer takes insurance. His hospital (HSS) > does, but he does not. To have some of my hardware removed, he is charging > $10,000, payable in three increments. I don't know what he charges for a > complete revision. > > > > Sorry for the bad news. > > > > Best, > > Andy > > Boulder CO > > > > From: > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of > Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 9:39 PM > > Subject: Paying Dr. Boachie??? > > > > > > We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr. > Boachie does not take insurance. > > Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutely outrageous, > if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revision > surgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fraction > of 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revision > surgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost at > least $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with full > awareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work with > indigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he would > limit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularly > since those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have more > limited incomes than the average middle-class person after becoming too > disabled to continue our careers. > > Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and was more > than ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have any problem > with my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was very > gracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago area to > discuss my case and the need for surgery. > > When I heard not long afterwards that " Dr. Boachie does not take > insurance, " I was floored. > > Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see if > it's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information that makes > it less dire than it sounds? > > I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement from any > surgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, if > this has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliated medical > group). It is just totally mystifying to me. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hi and All, I was told by Lindy, Dr. Boachie’s coordinator, that I would need to pay out-of-pocket for my procedure. She will provide paperwork so that I can try to get reimbursed by my insurance companies, but that is on me. The hospital expenses, on the other hand, would be covered by insurance. This is one of the reasons I’m considering having the surgery (partial hardware removal) done locally, by Dr. Kumar. His fee would be covered by my insurance (or some percentage of it) and I wouldn’t have to travel back and forth to NYC. On the other hand, I trust Dr. Boachie to know his own work and do the job correctly. So I’m not sure what I’ll do. I’m trying to put it off for as long as I can! By the way, I did have ultrasound-assisted needling to break up scar tissue – but just one visit so far. I’ve got two more (or more) to go. The procedure was a bit scary – I was swabbed and covered as if I were having a surgical procedure, which I hadn’t anticipated. It reminded me of surgery and I guess I’m still squeamish about that, so I got a bit freaked out. The injections held saline, Lidocaine and a tiny bit of a corticosteroid (as an anti-inflammatory). Some of the needles hurt as they went in, and then feeling the needle being moved around within my skin was dismaying. The doc went up and down my fusion. By the time it was all over, I was sufficiently numb from all the Lidocaine and had no pain. I did feel dizzy, but I was able to drive home. The next day I felt sore, but that could’ve been more psychological than real. I haven’t had pain in that location. The next procedure will be up and down my ribs, which is the area that really gives me trouble – on a daily basis and for which I take Percocet. If he’s able to make progress there I’ll be sold on this treatment. More to come… Andy From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 11:15 AM Subject: Re: Paying Dr. Boachie??? Thanks for the update, Andy.Tricia called his office this morning, since she needs a second opinion.I also appreciate the information she was able to provide. She was toldthat Dr. Boachie will supply the paperwork so that you can bill theinsurance company yourself. Is that what you're referring to? I hope youaren't saying that he actually requires people whose insurance wouldcover his surgery to pay out of pocket and not bring the insurancecarrier in on it??? If that is the case, I guess I still needclarification as to whether the person Tricia she talked to might havebeen referring only to outpatient appointments with him . . .I'm also wondering what the reason could be for his unusual billingprotocol. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we've encounteredsuch a difficult and discouraging situation re billing in any otherspinal surgery practice.What is your thinking -- or what is your plan at this point -- withrespect to the proposed hardware removal? Anyone in Denver you wouldtrust to do it, or are you heading to NY? Or maybe trying to toleratethe intolerable for a while longer?Best,>> ,>>>> I can verify that Dr. Boachie no longer takes insurance. His hospital (HSS)> does, but he does not. To have some of my hardware removed, he ischarging> $10,000, payable in three increments. I don't know what he charges fora> complete revision.>>>> Sorry for the bad news.>>>> Best,>> Andy>> Boulder CO>>>> From: > [mailto: ] On Behalf Of> Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 9:39 PM> > Subject: Paying Dr. Boachie???>>>>>> We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr.> Boachie does not take insurance.>> Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutelyoutrageous,> if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revision> surgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fraction> of 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revision> surgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost at> least $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with full> awareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work with> indigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he would> limit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularly> since those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have more> limited incomes than the average middle-class person after becomingtoo> disabled to continue our careers.>> Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and wasmore> than ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have anyproblem> with my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was very> gracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago areato> discuss my case and the need for surgery.>> When I heard not long afterwards that " Dr. Boachie does not take> insurance, " I was floored.>> Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see if> it's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information thatmakes> it less dire than it sounds?>> I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement fromany> surgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, if> this has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliatedmedical> group). It is just totally mystifying to me.>> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 I had my surgery with Dr. Boachie back in Oct 2008. I can not tell you if he has changes the way he does insurance since then but this is how it worked for me. Dr. Boachie does not participate in any insurance plans and does not take Medicare. If the insurance plan you have offers out of network coverage, they will work with you. Before my surgery I had to submit to my insurance company what was to be done, the procedure codes (this was supplied by Dr. B's office). The insurance company will then give you as estimate of how much will cover. Many plans have a max out of pocket and then they cover 100% of reasonable and customary. Depending on what your plan covers you may or may not have to pay the difference. If the plans covers 80% of his total bill they may just write off the balance. I was lucky as I had both my plan and my husbands plan so I had minimum out of pocket for the entire surgery. My bill (All doctors & Hospital) was about $400,000 and I paid about $850. Hope this helps. Arlene > > We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr. > Boachie does not take insurance. > > Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutely outrageous, > if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revision > surgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fraction > of 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revision > surgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost at > least $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with full > awareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work with > indigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he would > limit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularly > since those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have more > limited incomes than the average middle-class person after becoming too > disabled to continue our careers. > > Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and was more > than ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have any problem > with my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was very > gracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago area to > discuss my case and the need for surgery. > > When I heard not long afterwards that " Dr. Boachie does not take > insurance, " I was floored. > > Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see if > it's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information that makes > it less dire than it sounds? > > I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement from any > surgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, if > this has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliated medical > group). It is just totally mystifying to me. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 , I checked into Dr. Boachie in the summer time and the secretary told me he didn't take any insurance and didn't mention any out of network insurance. As a matter of fact, she also told me that none of the doctors on the team take insurance coverage. I asked her what do patients do..... she said pay out of pocket. I was in a state of shock. As I had my first surgery done at HSS in 1976. She never mentioned that you could pay first and then submit it to your insurance. I even asked how much would be I don't recalled exactly but it was over 500 dollars just for consult. You had to have your xrays done there as well. EllenFrom: <elizabethrgonzalez@...> Sent: Sunday, October 9, 2011 11:39 PMSubject: Paying Dr. Boachie??? We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr. Boachie does not take insurance. Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutely outrageous, if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revision surgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fraction of 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revision surgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost at least $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with full awareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work with indigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he would limit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularly since those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have more limited incomes than the average middle-class person after becoming too disabled to continue our careers. Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and was more than ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have any problem with my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was very gracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago area to discuss my case and the need for surgery. When I heard not long afterwards that "Dr. Boachie does not take insurance," I was floored. Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see if it's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information that makes it less dire than it sounds? I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement from any surgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, if this has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliated medical group). It is just totally mystifying to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Hi, Andy -- That ultrasound-assisted needling sounds very promising! (Although it would have been nice of them to prepare you for what to expect.) I must admit I am still troubled by this whole billing business (not to sound obsessed or anything!) After I had my initial revision surgery with Dr. Rand, there was some confusion about my insurance, and New England Baptist did not get reimbursed for an entire year, as I recall. When a hospital representative called me to confer about this -- many months after my surgery -- I was struck by her friendly, cordial, let's-hope-to-solve-this-together attitude. She never once asked me to pay anything despite the unconscionable time-lapse. But Dr. Boachie and colleagues demand immediate payment of at least 1/3, and leave you on your own to bill your insurance? If I may be so bold: WHY? Also, and I hope this does not offend anyone: Why do patients put up with this? In fact, why do we put up with a whole bunch of other stuff demanded of us by doctors? Please excuse any scraping, squeaking, or thudding noises -- that's just me, clambering hastily off my soapbox. Best, > > > > , > > > > > > > > I can verify that Dr. Boachie no longer takes insurance. His hospital > (HSS) > > does, but he does not. To have some of my hardware removed, he is > charging > > $10,000, payable in three increments. I don't know what he charges for > a > > complete revision. > > > > > > > > Sorry for the bad news. > > > > > > > > Best, > > > > Andy > > > > Boulder CO > > > > > > > > From: > <mailto:%40> > > [mailto: > <mailto:%40> ] On Behalf Of > > > Sent: Sunday, October 09, 2011 9:39 PM > > > <mailto:%40> > > Subject: Paying Dr. Boachie??? > > > > > > > > > > > > We keep posting at this group about the rumors we've heard that Dr. > > Boachie does not take insurance. > > > > Can anyone verify that this is correct? It sounds absolutely > outrageous, > > if not highly self-defeating, for one of the few gifted revision > > surgeons in the country to operate only on that fraction of a fraction > > of 1% of Americans who might conceivably be able to pay for revision > > surgery out of pocket! (I believe my initial revision surgery cost at > > least $100,000, and that was many years ago. ) I write this with full > > awareness that Dr. Boachie donates part of each year to his work with > > indigent patients in Ghana. It doesn't make sense to me that he would > > limit his US practice to the wealthiest patients only -- particularly > > since those of us with spinal deformities are likely to have more > > limited incomes than the average middle-class person after becoming > too > > disabled to continue our careers. > > > > Admittedly my experience with Dr. Boachie was very limited and was > more > > than ten years ago, but at that time he did not seem to have any > problem > > with my group insurance or secondary Medicare coverage. He was very > > gracious about calling both me and my doctor here in the Chicago area > to > > discuss my case and the need for surgery. > > > > When I heard not long afterwards that " Dr. Boachie does not take > > insurance, " I was floored. > > > > Anyone care to contact his office and track down this rumor to see if > > it's true, or if perhaps there is some qualifying information that > makes > > it less dire than it sounds? > > > > I can't imagine a medical center accepting such an arrangement from > any > > surgeon (or, for that matter, imposing such an arrangement on him, if > > this has something to do with the hospital or with an affiliated > medical > > group). It is just totally mystifying to me. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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