Re: 4 Camille/Dr. Boachie

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

Are you familiar with Dr. Boachie's current billing practice? If so,

I think many of us would be interested to have it explained. I was

very moved and impressed to learn about his wonderful work in Africa

on behalf of patients who otherwise could not afford spinal surgery.

He always gets the highest praise from American patients and

families as well. It concerns me, however, to keep hearing from

prospective patients in this country who believe they can not afford

his care.

I do understand that US doctors in general are feeling the

constraints of the system and are often frustrated by the power of

insurers to boss the whole show, so to speak. At the same time, few

available surgeons are fully equipped to handle the most severe and

complex spinal deformities. The revision surgeons I have come to

know personally are well aware of the need for their exceptional

expertise and determined to make their services available to as many

patients as possible without regard to personal wealth or luck-of-

the-draw insurance coverage. Moreover, in my experience it is

routine for a surgical practice to have the mechanisms in place for

dealing with third-party payers, from obtaining precertification to

seeking post-op reimbursement. The " usual and customary " fee may

fall short of what the surgeon might consider a reasonable charge,

but most surgeons live with this reality of managed care --

particularly in the context of an attractive contractual arrangement

between their practice and a prestigious, well-funded medical center.

So . . . I am somewhat perplexed and concerned with regard to the

available information on this particular surgeon's policies. I can

only hope I have misunderstood or have misinterpreted something!

Thanks very much in advance for any light that you or others may be

able to shed.

Best,

>

> Dear Camille,

>

> Please don't give up on having your surgery by Dr. Boachie. He's

saved many lives. Fearless and competent and very compassionate.

>

> Surgery is one part of it. Please consider getting into the best

rehab program following your surgery.

>

> Kind Regards,

>

>