Re: Hello & Ins. Q from San Francisco

July 19, 2001

Unfortunately, I can't give you the horror story you're looking for!

Dr Rabkin (who is one of the best DS surgeons out there and one of

the few who offer it laproscopically) only takes Sutter Gould or

Brown and Toland. Everyone else needs to wait until to insurance

approval and pay the difference between their insurance company and

his $12,000 surgical fee or they need to pay the $12,000 up front

before they get a surgical date. As for Brown & Toland people, I

believe they only need to pay the $3000 program fee compared to

$12000 and everything else is covered and they get their surgical

date straight away. You just need to make sure you have the right

medical group so you get that referral. You can ask that on the

DS_PacificLaproscopy list, which is Dr Rabkin and Dr Jossart's list

as several people have Brown & Toland. Dr Rabkin works out of

California Pacific Medical Center on the Pacific Campus, so you live

in SF, he's in your backyard.

Anita

Pre-op in Denver (initial consult with Dr Rabkin on September 26th)

> Hi,

>

> I've been lurking around and thought I'd pop in. I'm researching

> WLS/DS and am very encouraged by everyone's comments (both

> the good and the bad). I live and work in San Francisco. I have,

> as you might expect, been overweight my entire life and also

> have come to the realization (after the latest family reunion) that

> the genetic cards are just stacked sky-high against me.

>

> I would like to hear approval/denail stories from anyone in SF

> with Brown & Toland Medical Group. I have Blue Shield of Cal.

> HMO. They've been pretty generous to me over the years,

> including diet programs, so I'm wondering if I'm overdue for a

> horror story. Please feel free to contact me via email or through

> the list. Thanks in advance!

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