Re: Hi I'm a newbie

[Guest guest]

Welcome... All of us have been newbies at some point, so don't feel

alone!

As for insurance: The place to start is with your surgeon. Tell

him/her that you're worried, and ask for help from him/her and the

office staff there. They should be accustomed to dealing with these

problems, and be able to give you some ideas. Mine filed everything

for me, and got approval, first time out. (Most people find that

insurance will not cover genioplasty, though, ruling that purely

cosmetic.)

If you get a response along the lines of " That's your problem; we

don't get involved, " well, I'd start looking for other surgeons. Not

to say you shouldn't ask again for help, and say you recognize that

it's an issue you have to handle. But make it clear to them that you

want and need their help and support. That you're willing to do

whatever -- but in fact, they probably are the folks who're gonna

have to send the molds, x-rays, drawings, documentation, etc. Maybe

your ortho can, and many do, but I think the surgeon is key to this

process.

And cultivate your persistency gene. Many companies, sadly, will do

any weaseling they can to get out of paying it. Going so far as to

lose submissions. Get everything in writing. Record names and dates

of any conversations (as in name of the insurance company person with

whom you speak). Make a big 'ol file of everything, and put it in

your safe deposit box.

I hope you'll have an easy approval. Some do -- and I was one. Others

have to fight tooth and nail. Sounds like you're off to a good start,

though!

Cammie

> Hi all. I am new to the support group and boy do I need it. I'm

26

> and going through round 2 of orthodontics. I am scheduled to have

> upper, lower and genio in the fall if all continues to go well.

> Braces are on and moving nicely. Love all the docs so far. My

> question is . . . I am really worried about the money aspect.

What

> should I anticipate from my insurance company? Do they usually

> pay? How will they know if it is medically necessary? (I think it

> is, but they probably don't care what I think)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cammie! You've already made me feel better. I'm glad you

had an easy approval and hope mine will come through as easily. My

doc's office seems to be pretty on top of things, so hopefully they

will be able to help with the insurance thing. Thanks again!

> > Hi all. I am new to the support group and boy do I need it.

I'm

> 26

> > and going through round 2 of orthodontics. I am scheduled to

have

> > upper, lower and genio in the fall if all continues to go well.

> > Braces are on and moving nicely. Love all the docs so far. My

> > question is . . . I am really worried about the money aspect.

> What

> > should I anticipate from my insurance company? Do they usually

> > pay? How will they know if it is medically necessary? (I think

it

> > is, but they probably don't care what I think)