tracey

[Guest guest]

I would really suggest going to an OS even if you don't think that

your insurance will pay for your surgery. Prices will vary

depending on how much work you will need done. After my OS looked

at me at an initial consult he was able to tell even without x-rays

just about all the work that needed to be done. His nurse than

wrote up an estimate outlining what the surgery would involve, and

giving me an estimate. The lower jaw alone was around $9500 and the

upper around $10500. He thinks he will only do the lower, since my

upper jaw is almost right on. The reason that going to an OS may

help, is that after your consult you can talk to someone in the OS

billing department about payment options. My OS offers half down,

and then regular monthly payments interest free. Also, I talked to

one of my local hospitals about what payment options they may

offer. I was told that if the surgery were considered medically

necessary instead of cosmetic, the hospital couldn't require you to

pay in advance, or pay any money down, they would HAVE to take

monthly payments. I told her that I had found that oftentimes this

surgery was talked about as a " cosmetic surgery " and not medically

necessary. She said that if I received a letter from my OS stating

this surgery as medically necessary, I could have the medical board

at the hospital review the request, and more than likely it would be

considered medically necessary. I may have to do this if my

insurance doesn't approve my surgery. Another thing to consider is

that normally an initial consult with an OS is free or low cost. My

OS has yet to bill me, even though I have seen him several times

over the past couple of years. What it really comes down to is how

badly you need this surgery, and how willing you are to go the extra

mile to make sure you get this surgery done.