in network

[Guest guest]

How common is it to find an " in-network " surgeon?

My insurance company is saying Dr. West is out of network and won't

pay as much.

Also, they said it need to be billed as medical and not dental. Is

this how it is billed or is this going to cause me problems?

Thanks,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Beth, they've given you a major clue in sending you to the medical side.

Check there to see whether your oral surgeon is " in network. " If he is

not, there may be a surgeon who is " in network. "

For me, my ortho cost thousands of dollars more than the one in-network

ortho, but the network guy was probably 90 miles away, whereas the

ortho I used was right along my daily path to work. The fellow I used

was one I bonded with immediately, and that was important to me. He was

also easily accessible, and that, too was important. I was happy to pay

extra to get his services.

My surgeon was in-network. I don't know what I would have done

otherwise. He was recommended highly by everybody I asked, and I am

sooo happy that I could have him to do my procedures. Probably I would

have at least talked with someone else.

Some networks also have a provision that if there is not an in-network

provider within a certain number of miles of your home, they will pay

for an out-of-network provider. Yet again, read your policy. And

sometimes the hospital and/or anesthesiologist are in-network, while

the surgeon is not. That, also, can save you thousands.

If you can get the help of someone experienced with insurance issues,

do so immediately. Otherwise, read your policies carefully, keep

records of all conversations, names of those with whom you had them,

and positions in the firms as well as dates, and get everything you can

in writing. Send info by return receipt requested, and keep all of

those little pieces of paper...

Cammie

>

> How common is it to find an " in-network " surgeon?

>

> My insurance company is saying Dr. West is out of network and won't

> pay as much.

>

> Also, they said it need to be billed as medical and not dental. Is

> this how it is billed or is this going to cause me problems?

>

> Thanks,

> Beth