Guest guest Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 I can't really answer your questions, but I will suggest you be cautious about seeing a surgeon before switching insurance, as it could then be considered a " pre-existing condition " and excluded. You'll need to ask your ortho and surgeon more about this possiblity. Good luck. Luna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Jack The surgeon will most likely take an xray of your hand to assess whether you have stopped growing or not. The skeleton in your hand shows whether you have any growing still left to do. If you have I doubt that he will perform the surgery until you have stopped growing. Good luck with your app. and keep us posted. Sara > I scheduled a consultation with a potential surgeon on July 21. I > keep thinking of more and more questions to ask him cause I dont know > that much about the surgery yet, but two quesitons I'd like to ask you > guys follow: > > When does your jaw stop growing? Im 19 and I hear its dangerous to do > the surgery before yous top growing cause it might end up growing back. > > If my insurance ends up refusing to cover me, is it smarter to switch > to another provider and another until I find one who will cover it? > I'd imagine thats cheaper than actually paying for the surgery unaided. > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 I thought there was a law now that made it illegal for an insurance company to refuse you coverage based on a pre-existing condition claim...at least in the US. i.e. even if it was a pre-existing condition you can't be denied insurance. Sara > I can't really answer your questions, but I will suggest you be > cautious about seeing a surgeon before switching insurance, as it > could then be considered a " pre-existing condition " and excluded. > You'll need to ask your ortho and surgeon more about this possiblity. > Good luck. Luna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Hello Jack - What type of Orthognathic Surgery will you be having done? I don't recall what your particular bite is: underbite, overbite, openbite,----? Congratulations on moving forward by making an appointment with an OS. I did alot of reading on this site and by doing web searches (typed in terms such as Orthognathic Surgery and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy (one of the procedures)) to learn as much as possible about the surgery I would be having done. By the way, I'm a 47 year-old woman with an underbite. It also helps that I'm in the medical profession to begin with, so researching medical topics wasn't too hard. Some of the info is way too technical, but I get a grasp of the basics. My OMS and OD do appreciate my efforts to learn as much as possible; it makes their job that much easier and it makes everything go alot smoother. I always bring a list of questions with me to each appointment. Most doctors really appreciate patients who are interested in their specific conditions, and no questions are ever too dumb, so ask all you want!// As for your questions, I believe your bones are always growing but slow way down by the age of 21. As for the insurance question, I don't know the answer to that one. My insurance thru my employer (a hospital) doesn't pay for Orthognathic Surgery; it's an excluded benefit. So, I will be paying out-of-pocket for my surgery, and all but $1k for my braces. ~~~ Diane > I scheduled a consultation with a potential surgeon on July 21. I > keep thinking of more and more questions to ask him cause I dont know > that much about the surgery yet, but two quesitons I'd like to ask you > guys follow: > > When does your jaw stop growing? Im 19 and I hear its dangerous to do > the surgery before yous top growing cause it might end up growing back. > > If my insurance ends up refusing to cover me, is it smarter to switch > to another provider and another until I find one who will cover it? > I'd imagine thats cheaper than actually paying for the surgery unaided. > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Can't help about coverage from insurance. Sorry. but you most clearly, if you are male (which name " jack " suggests to me) want to be certain about the growth issues, because you can have surgery, and then see it undone and needed again, if you grow more post- op. I believe there are studies of bone plates in your wrists that can be helpful. In any case, speak directly and ask for help from anyone who proposes surgery, before you agree to do it. You really don't want to have to do it twice, I would think. Dealing with coverage from insurance, to me anyhow, would be less of an issue than having to re=do the surgery. Best, C. > I scheduled a consultation with a potential surgeon on July 21. I > keep thinking of more and more questions to ask him cause I dont know > that much about the surgery yet, but two quesitons I'd like to ask you > guys follow: > > When does your jaw stop growing? Im 19 and I hear its dangerous to do > the surgery before yous top growing cause it might end up growing back. > > If my insurance ends up refusing to cover me, is it smarter to switch > to another provider and another until I find one who will cover it? > I'd imagine thats cheaper than actually paying for the surgery unaided. > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Hello Diane I have an underbite, but I may have an open bite also? I am not sure... It is very difficult to breath through my nose and my orthodontist tells me this problem is due to my undergrown upper jaw restricting the size of my sinuses. As a result, I basically always leave my mouth open to breath, It is very uncomfortable to bite down, so my teeth never meet, but i can make them meet. I dont know much about the otehr bites so I dont know if that is an open bite or not. The reason I worry about the insurance is that I dont believe my parents will help me with the money and I need to think about graduate school in 3 years (which I will also be paying for). I have saved a lot of money since I discovered the problem 2 years ago, but I fear taking the loans necessary to get the surgery and pay for grad school. > > I scheduled a consultation with a potential surgeon on July 21. I > > keep thinking of more and more questions to ask him cause I dont know > > that much about the surgery yet, but two quesitons I'd like to ask > you > > guys follow: > > > > When does your jaw stop growing? Im 19 and I hear its dangerous to > do > > the surgery before yous top growing cause it might end up growing > back. > > > > If my insurance ends up refusing to cover me, is it smarter to switch > > to another provider and another until I find one who will cover it? > > I'd imagine thats cheaper than actually paying for the surgery > unaided. > > > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Hi Jack, I would check with your current insurance first. If they exclude orthognathic surgery specifically, then it will not cover it. If they do not, find out what information they need to preapprove it for you. Your OS and OD will be the most help to you with this. Their office person who works with the insurances should also be able to let you know what your policy has done in the past. That will give you a good idea what ot expect for your case. Also ask to have it preauthorized. That is best if you can get it. Changing insurance can be tricky. If it is through your work, I don't think that it can be excluded as preexisting, but they may have a time delay before it is covered. So if you start a new plan, they may not cover treatment on a preexisting condition for 3-6 months or so. If you are near your surgery date, that would not help you. Check into what a change would do to your coverage. I would call and ask your insurance what they cover, or better yet, if this is through your employment, as the HR department about it. They may not answer the questions, but they would know who would be able to answer them for you. I hope this helps! I am crossing my fingers for you! Let us know what you find out! Hugs, Fran > I scheduled a consultation with a potential surgeon on July 21. I > keep thinking of more and more questions to ask him cause I dont know > that much about the surgery yet, but two quesitons I'd like to ask you > guys follow: > > When does your jaw stop growing? Im 19 and I hear its dangerous to do > the surgery before yous top growing cause it might end up growing back. > > If my insurance ends up refusing to cover me, is it smarter to switch > to another provider and another until I find one who will cover it? > I'd imagine thats cheaper than actually paying for the surgery unaided. > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2005 Report Share Posted July 1, 2005 Im not even in braces yet so I still got a long ways to go. I'd imagine the very earliest I could get the surgery even if everything went perfectly would be next August, so I have time! Thanks Fran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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