Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 Pamela; The good news is I had Cigna/PPO through my Employer(Schlumberger) and was approved within 1 week. I had surgery on March 29, 2000 and with the Cigna/PPO and my secondary insurance through my husbands employer I didn't have to pay anything except for Rabkin/Jossart's " Program Fee " . Now, here's the bad news: My parents also have Cigna/PPO through Schlumberger as my father is retired from them. They both just had surgery on March 16th and Rabkin required them to pay $11K each in advance as he no longer accepts Cigna insurance and is not a PPO with them. From what I understand Rabkin/Jossart are only accepting very few insurance companies. They will bill your insurance, but they require you to pay up front and then whatever is reimbursed from the insurance they will forward to you. Good luck. I don't really agree with the way they are handling the insurance now, but I do believe that Rabkin and Jossart are just about the best! I'm just thankful I got in before these requirements as there is no way I could have done the $11K. I hope this helps and if I can be of anymore assistance, let me know. Tallant Post-Op 03/29/00 Dr. Rabkin, Open Duodenal Switch Height 5' 4 " Pre-Op Weight 312 Current weight (030901)159 153 Pounds GONE FOREVER!!! __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 Dear Pamela: I had CIGNA PPO and Dr. Anthone accepts it with no problems and I for one could not have asked for a better doctor. He does not have a program fee that is charged over what the insurance pays. I have lost 224 pounds and have never at anytime regretted putting my life in his capable hands. He is warm and caring and he actually listens when you are talking and always provides time for you to ask questions. Huggles, Tiger Lake Female 160 lbs. BMI 21.7 224lbs gone 165 1/2 inches gone 6' -- 53yrs young Dr. Anthone@USC So. Calif. Open DS Surgery 1/13/99 384lbs BMI 51.21 Last Visit 4/20/99 315.5 BMI 42.07 7/19/99 274.8 BMI 36.64 9/03/99 259.3 BMI 34.54 10/04/99 252.4 BMI 34.02 10/25/99 231 BMI 32 12/17/99 217.5 BMI 30.2 01/19/00 211 BMI 28 02/20/00 195 BMI 26 04/08/00 182.9 BMI 25 06/07/00 160 BMI 21.7 01/08/01 164.3 BMI 21.7 Hernia repair on 06/07/00 Dr. Anthone Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction Dr. Downey Total Weight Loss! 224.1lbs GONE! Total inches lost 165! http://www.duodenalswitch.com (our groups very own web site) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 Dear Pamela: I had CIGNA PPO and Dr. Anthone accepts it with no problems and I for one could not have asked for a better doctor. He does not have a program fee that is charged over what the insurance pays. I have lost 224 pounds and have never at anytime regretted putting my life in his capable hands. He is warm and caring and he actually listens when you are talking and always provides time for you to ask questions. Huggles, Tiger Lake Female 160 lbs. BMI 21.7 224lbs gone 165 1/2 inches gone 6' -- 53yrs young Dr. Anthone@USC So. Calif. Open DS Surgery 1/13/99 384lbs BMI 51.21 Last Visit 4/20/99 315.5 BMI 42.07 7/19/99 274.8 BMI 36.64 9/03/99 259.3 BMI 34.54 10/04/99 252.4 BMI 34.02 10/25/99 231 BMI 32 12/17/99 217.5 BMI 30.2 01/19/00 211 BMI 28 02/20/00 195 BMI 26 04/08/00 182.9 BMI 25 06/07/00 160 BMI 21.7 01/08/01 164.3 BMI 21.7 Hernia repair on 06/07/00 Dr. Anthone Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction Dr. Downey Total Weight Loss! 224.1lbs GONE! Total inches lost 165! http://www.duodenalswitch.com (our groups very own web site) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 Dear Pamela: I had CIGNA PPO and Dr. Anthone accepts it with no problems and I for one could not have asked for a better doctor. He does not have a program fee that is charged over what the insurance pays. I have lost 224 pounds and have never at anytime regretted putting my life in his capable hands. He is warm and caring and he actually listens when you are talking and always provides time for you to ask questions. Huggles, Tiger Lake Female 160 lbs. BMI 21.7 224lbs gone 165 1/2 inches gone 6' -- 53yrs young Dr. Anthone@USC So. Calif. Open DS Surgery 1/13/99 384lbs BMI 51.21 Last Visit 4/20/99 315.5 BMI 42.07 7/19/99 274.8 BMI 36.64 9/03/99 259.3 BMI 34.54 10/04/99 252.4 BMI 34.02 10/25/99 231 BMI 32 12/17/99 217.5 BMI 30.2 01/19/00 211 BMI 28 02/20/00 195 BMI 26 04/08/00 182.9 BMI 25 06/07/00 160 BMI 21.7 01/08/01 164.3 BMI 21.7 Hernia repair on 06/07/00 Dr. Anthone Tummy Tuck & Breast Reduction Dr. Downey Total Weight Loss! 224.1lbs GONE! Total inches lost 165! http://www.duodenalswitch.com (our groups very own web site) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 At 09:310 -0700 4/6/01, Tallant wrote: >They >will bill your insurance, but they require you to pay >up front and then whatever is reimbursed from the >insurance they will forward to you. What in the world is the thinking behind this policy? I'm already not too fond of this particular medical practice because of the so-called 'program fee!' --stella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 , When I read your stats, I noticed we are of similar (o.k. you are 5 pounds less than me) and height 5'4 " . I had my surgery lst April (00). Isn't this surgery a WONDER! (I know, I know, I keep saying that, but to me it is unbelievable!) Dawn Dr. Hess 267 to 165 size 22 to size 10 5'4 " no more high blood pressure or sore feet! 4/27/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2001 Report Share Posted April 6, 2001 At 09:310 -0700 4/6/01, Tallant wrote: >They >will bill your insurance, but they require you to pay >up front and then whatever is reimbursed from the >insurance they will forward to you. What in the world is the thinking behind this policy? I'm already not too fond of this particular medical practice because of the so-called 'program fee!' --stella Stella- I agree with you on the program fee. Although fortunately it was less when I had my surgery and being that when I made the original arrangements I was to be operated on in Ventura and then Dr. Rabkin moved his practice to S.F. only he deducted $1000. How sweet! When you self pay up front ($11K), they waive the $3K program fee. Or at least that is what they did for my parents. I guess they thought $22K was enough (I should hope so). I don't agree really, but I do have to say it is a small price to pay to gain your life!!! Tallant __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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