Guest guest Posted July 28, 2000 Report Share Posted July 28, 2000 I have been reading the messages and researching options for obesity for several months. I very much want to have the MGB surgery, I have looked at some other proceedures and alternatives and decided just yesterday to submit the patient info. I feel as though I " know " some of you from reading the exchanges among pre and post opt friends. I have emailed several of you directly and signed my messages " Just beginning to hope! " I had only begun to have hope that there was a way change my life. Just reading messages about the numbers of patients and the process has caused quite a knot in the pit of my stomach. I will continue to hope but with a little less excitement. Dr. R, I know you will make the very best decision for yourself and your patients. But thanks for the hope so far. Vicki Just beginning to hope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2000 Report Share Posted July 29, 2000 In a message dated 7/28/00 3:48:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes: Dr. Rutledge - I feel exactly like Diane on this. I am absolutely devastated by this news!!! Please reconsider! Others have suggested clearing up the backlog of patients before taking on any more - I agree. I am a single parent who does not make much money and coming up with $14,000 or so would be a death sentence for me, I am sure! This surgery is my only hope of life and to have it be impossible because of money is truly heartbreaking!!! Insurance responsibilities/hassles etc. should be passed on to us. Like Diane, I am very fearful that it is SO much easier for insurance companies to deny you after the fact. I think we are willing to take on more responsibilities relative to insurance issues - give us a chance rather than writing us off. I feel like some one has kicked me in the stomach - Please, please listen to our concerns. We know you are overburdened and are more than willing to pay an application fee or whatever you would ask to make this easier for you. Thanks for listening. from CT << From: ddsdajj@... Subject: Re: Coming Changes Dr. Rutledge, When I found this site I was given hope for the first time in 20 years. Now I sit here completely devestated. >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2000 Report Share Posted July 29, 2000 In a message dated 7/28/00 8:57:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time, MiniGastricBypass (AT) egroups (DOT) com writes: Dr. R - I agree with Ruth's suggestion about an outside agency handling the insurance problems. Whatever the cost to you for this service should be folded into other costs such as an application fee, increasing your fees, etc. from CT << Dr. R. I think the insurance issue is one that has an easy solution. Have it all go through an agency designed to handle it. In CT, as well I sure, as in NC you have companies that do this. Then your office is done with the billing and insurance. That insurance stuff is nasty business and very time consuming and I'm sure Debbie would love to get rid of all of this. >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2000 Report Share Posted July 29, 2000 Dr. R - Obviously, with this my third reply in response to your recent message, I am very concerned about this - and sad. Hwever, I have been reading many messages today with some very sound suggestions to your dilemma (sp?). Please consider them - they seem to offer a way out of the overwhelming situation you are in. Without penalizing us folks who could not have this surgery WITHOUT insurance. As I have been reading this list for a couple of months, reading all the exciting messages about being approved and scheduled for surgery, I would not help but feel like this has turned into a runaway train for you. And I sympathize with that. So many surgeries per day!!! I could feel a breaking point coming on for you. It seemed inevitable. I THINK that's my last comment on this issue - but you never know! from CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2000 Report Share Posted July 31, 2000 I like hundreds of you sent off my packet today, so that I too would be included if there is a grandfather clause. I'm writting to give my thoughts on this subject too. Let me first say I don't know what the solution is either. But this might be some helpful thoughts: I attended a clinic in Feb. by suggestion of my PCP. This was way too early, I had no clue what was going on. I knew I wanted a surgery and learned an awful lot at the clinic, but maybe you should only allow clinics after the 10 patient contacts criteria has been met. I submitted my patient form and then found out my insurance said no. I then found another insurance waited the time out then resubmitted. Maybe we should get our PCP to qualify us through our insurance companies first. I have called Deb. twice because I was confused on some things that yes I could have asked on here but I was impatient. So maybe she should just get messages unless it is an emergency. I don't want to be left out of this surgery either, and I just know that if you say ok only self-pay can play you hurt a lot of people. I am not disabled, but they have already been left out because the hospital doesn't want to take medicaid. Aren't they the sickest? How can you decide? Just a lot of questions floating through my mind. in Fayetteville Hoping to be included Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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