nursing companions/mt sinai/payment

[Guest guest]

Did all of the Mt. Sinai patients with aides/nurses pay up front for

these services? My insurance company might cover it but when I

inquired with the hospital they said I had to pay out of pocket up

front directly to the nurse/aide. Has this been everyone's

experience?

Note: My insurance co says they will approve a private nurse (no

mention of an aide) if the doctor deems it medically necessary. Dr.

Herron gave me a letter stating he would like me to have an

aide/nurse for ambulation. I am going to have to check this because

I think based on their exclusions, they will not cover services that

do not REQUIRE an RN even if the doctor orders it.

UGH, back to questions for PHS!

Sondra

BPD/DS Pre-op w/Dr. Herron

@ Mt. Sinai 6/18/01

BMI 6/18/01 (counting down the days!!)

> : Stop stressing. Save your strength for

> recovery. Whatever companion you get will be fine. I

> just got the one they had available, Mercedes ,

> and she was great. I'm sure they are all qualified.

> Don't worry about getting one that someone else

> recommends, they are not surgeons. They just get you

> water and ice chips and blankets. They are invaluable,

> don't get me wrong, but I just don't think you need to

> stress so much ! Good luck tomorrow. Is your

> surgery going to be presented at the asbs meeting in

> DC next week? I saw Gagner is presenting a video on

> BPD/DS. Make sure you get a video copy!

>

> Jill K in NY

> 8.5 weeks post op

> Gagner

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/4/01 1:25:20 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<<

Did all of the Mt. Sinai patients with aides/nurses pay up front for

these services? My insurance company might cover it but when I

inquired with the hospital they said I had to pay out of pocket up

front directly to the nurse/aide. Has this been everyone's

experience?

>>

I had private aides (not nurses) and paid at the end of each individual's

shift (with a check). I got receipts each time. I was told to always pay

the individual after his/her shift. I think that this is the standard method

and you would submit the claim to your insurance.

I'm not sure about the nurses -- perhaps it is different? The office told me

it was the same procedure for nurses/aides but I don't know in the event it

has already been pre-approved, etc. by insurance. However, if your insurance

said to pay upfront then get reimbursed, this is most likely the way it's

done.

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

january 25, 2001

four months post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 251 lbs!!!

[Guest guest]

How did you make the decision that you needed a companion or nurse? I will be in

NYC byself

but don't know if I should get one. Maybe I can get Dr Herron to write me a

letter also. Can you call from your room if you haven't made arrangements prior

to surgery?

In a message dated Mon, 4 Jun 2001 5:06:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

ruisha@... writes:

<<

In a message dated 6/4/01 1:25:20 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<<

Did all of the Mt. Sinai patients with aides/nurses pay up front for

these services? My insurance company might cover it but when I

inquired with the hospital they said I had to pay out of pocket up

front directly to the nurse/aide. Has this been everyone's

experience?

>>

I had private aides (not nurses) and paid at the end of each individual's

shift (with a check). I got receipts each time. I was told to always pay

the individual after his/her shift. I think that this is the standard method

and you would submit the claim to your insurance.

I'm not sure about the nurses -- perhaps it is different? The office told me

it was the same procedure for nurses/aides but I don't know in the event it

has already been pre-approved, etc. by insurance. However, if your insurance

said to pay upfront then get reimbursed, this is most likely the way it's

done.

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

january 25, 2001

four months post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 251 lbs!!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Yes- you have to pay at the end of each shift. The insurance Co. will

reimburse. Call the ins. co. because they need specific things about your

care with the aid. My Co. gave me a list of things that needed to be sent

in. I threw it away. But your ins. co. wiil need certain things and you

don't want to find out after the fact and not have the right info to submit.

Ellen(Pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/4/01 6:59:43 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< How did you make the decision that you needed a companion or nurse? I will

be in NYC byself

but don't know if I should get one. Maybe I can get Dr Herron to write me a

letter also. Can you call from your room if you haven't made arrangements

prior to surgery?

>>

Gwen: I'm not sure about the nurses or whether you need some kind of letter

from the surgeon (I don't think it is necessary to obtain a nurse if you

prefer one but it *may* be needed for insurance approval, etc.).

They do not allow you to call -- you must appear in person. YOu can arrange

this the week before your surgery (like, if you must come to the hospital for

pre-admission testing, etc.) or the morning of your surgery (go before you

are admitted). You can also have a relative/friend reserve the aide/nurse

for you but it must be done in person.

The offices are on the second floor of the main (Annenburg?) Mt. Sinai

building, behind the gift shop, etc. There's a little corridor that runs

behind the elevators... I can't remember the exact room number but I'm sure

hospital staff will point the way.

So, don't worry if you haven't reserved anyone. Just be sure to go in the

day of your surgery and let them know. I thought the private aides wer

invaluable.

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

four months post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 251 lbs!