Re: Ann in California

[Guest guest]

I would add to that that Dr. Jossart, my surgeon, who is across the

hall from Dr. Rabkin is about $5000 less expensive and he is the

director of Lap surgery for the hospital that they both operate in.

Dr. J has done over 300 WLS and is a great doctor. You also won't

have to wait for months and months for a surgical date because Dr. J

just set up his own solo practice after having worked with Dr. Rabkin

for two years. Oh, and his staff is much more reliable.

I do know that both doctors have had tremendous grief with your

insurance but hopefully, a lot of insurance companies that are

refusing the surgery now will come around by second quarter next year

due to fiscal closes, etc.

Just good to know that you alway have options!

Theresa

Surgery date: DS Nov. 19, 2001

Dr. Gregg Jossart

Highest weight: 293

Surgery weight: 251

Current weight: 224

Height: 5' 7.5 "

> > Hi All,

> > I'm new here and in the learning stages of having the DS

> surgery done.

> > I am so excited to hear about Shirley Ann's approval!

> (Congratulations,

> > Shirley Ann! I am sure you are walking on clouds!)

> > I have already been told by BC, CA PPO that they don't

> approve these

> > procedures, but now I have ammunition! My friend, too, was told

he

> wouldn't

> > get approval, but we will bombard the insurance company until

they

> approve!

> > Onward!

> > I have received all the paperwork from Dr. Rabkin and am

> quite

> > intimidated by the financial outlay. I have been disabled for a

> long time by

> > degenerative spinal disease. Dr. Bradford told me last month

that

> if I don't

> > have two spinal surgeries I will be paralyzed - - but I have to

> lose massive

> > amounts of weight first. We don't have the income to pay the

price

> without

> > the insurance coverage. My worry now is those dreaded

> words, " reasonable and

> > customary. "

> > Does anyone know what the out-of-pocket outlay was for BC

of

> CA PPO

> > with coverage? I know they pay 80% of " reasonable and customary "

> but if they

> > decide " reasonable and customary " is 80% of $5,000 - - I'll never

> be able to

> > afford the surgery!

> > You all seem like the greatest bunch! The friendliness

and

> > camaraderie are very welcoming. Thank you. Ann in CA

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Theresa,

Thanks for all the info in your email. Everyone is so helpful it

makes thinking about all this much clearer. I have another question (of

course) Does Dr. Jossart accept any insurances other than the ones Dr.

Rabkin does? Thanks for being so willing to pass along information. Ann

[Guest guest]

Oops, Theresa, another question - - what about the hospital care and how much

contact did you have with the anesthesiologist? Ann

[Guest guest]

Ann,

I have to tell you that I know of a lot of people that had their

insurance cover the DS with Dr. Jossart and Rabkin that wasn't Brown

and Toland. I just think the difference is having to come up with

their fees in advance or not. They can be paid by anyone who is

willing to pay them, but other insurance companies basically

reimburse you instead of Dr. waiting. Does that make sense?

My pleasure to help you with any information I can...I do know that

there are many on Dr. J's message board that will be reimbursed by

their insurances who paid the Doc up front and they can give you more

input on that than I since I was lucky and had PacifiCare Brown and

Toland.

Hugs,

Theresa

Surgery date: DS Nov. 19, 2001

Dr. Gregg Jossart

Highest weight: 293

Surgery weight: 251

Current weight: 224

Height: 5' 7.5 "

> Hi Theresa,

> Thanks for all the info in your email. Everyone is so

helpful it

> makes thinking about all this much clearer. I have another

question (of

> course) Does Dr. Jossart accept any insurances other than the ones

Dr.

> Rabkin does? Thanks for being so willing to pass along

information. Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ann,

I thought CPMC was great. I was there for a week and never had one

bad or even marginal nurse. Now my husband spent most of the week

with me in the hospital and he took care of all the little things

that a nurse would have to do...like walking me, helping me bathe,

scratching my back, straightening my bed...so whenever I did call on

a nurse, they were fantastic and very speedy! I talked with the

anesthesiologist for exactly 5 minutes right before I went into the

operating room. The doc was very thorough but I did not like his

rush me attitude. I wanted to talk with Jossart before surgery and

the anethesiologist was trying to put me out so fast, when doctor

came into the or, I saw 3 of him, and was fightin with the

anesthesiologist to take my mask off. Peeved me to no end. Now that I

know what they do, I have warned folks to explain to the Anesth...to

hold off if they want to talk with Dr. J. I don't know if all of them

there do that or just this guy. He was excellent about my pain meds

though and I never was uncomfortable even once without the nurses

responding immediately to me, including in the recovery room.

Theresa

> Oops, Theresa, another question - - what about the hospital care

and how much

> contact did you have with the anesthesiologist? Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Theresa,

My big problem is I don't have the money to pay upfront. I have been

disabled a long time with spinal disease (unrelated to, but exacerbated by,

excess weight). Finances are always tight and I will not be able to come up

with thousands upfront! Someone else has this problem, too! Ann

[Guest guest]

Dear Theresa,

I would be really worried with this little contact with the

anesthesiologist! I nearly died from a reaction to general anesthetic during

a previous surgery and I really need them to know that and understand. They

never figured out which medication caused the reaction, so no one knows how

to prevent it! Scary proposition! Ann

[Guest guest]

Ann,

When you do your preop registration with the hospital, they will take

a very complete history and I'll tell you, my anethesiologist knew

every drug i had and questioned me on my bad reaction to the general

in the past. He also refused my surgery until I got a cardio

clearance, so I promise you, even if you only spend a short time with

the guy, he will know your file inside and out. I would especially

think that he might contact you in advance since you have a problem

with the anesthesia.

Just to be prepared, if you can get your surgical notes from any

prior surgeries, a list of any drugs will be in them and you will

feel a lot safer! If your surgeons don't have those reports, I can

guaranatee the hospitals where you had your surgery does!

Hugs,

theresa

P.S. I hope you can work through all your issues. I will be pulling

for you!

> Dear Theresa,

> I would be really worried with this little contact with the

> anesthesiologist! I nearly died from a reaction to general

anesthetic during

> a previous surgery and I really need them to know that and

understand. They

> never figured out which medication caused the reaction, so no one

knows how

> to prevent it! Scary proposition! Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Theresa,

Thank you so much. I will do as you suggest and get the surgical

notes. I really appreciate this answer because it is the beginning of

getting rid of the fear of the anesthetic. Working on all this, Ann