The insurance, the surgeon, and the paperwork!

I have been informed that my surgeon will no longer be a participating provider with our insurance. The office staff informed me that I could continue seeing this surgeon for just $100 a visit. I called the insurance to see what my options were and they told me that I can get an extension on his coverage for up until 1 year post op at 120 day intervals. They sent the paperwork to the surgeons office and I was told this is usually done with in a few days. Two weeks later I call back the insurance to find out what happened, only to be told the doctor has not returned the form. I call the surgeons office and I am told that this is up to the doctor's discretion. I asked when the doctor might call me back to discuss this and again am informed that it will be at his discretion. I am pissed to say the least. This seems to me to mean that those forms will not be filled out. I don"t understand why we have to pay for the health insurance and pay this doctor out out of pocket. What would you do?? I am looking for opinions. Quite honestly I am no longer thrilled to pieces with my surgeon. When I had problems in the beginning, he would tell me that it was all in my head, or his PA would call me back instead of him. Want to actually see the surgeon, , make an appt for 10 am and usually wait until at least 12 or 1. Are all offices this ridiculous. I understand waiting, but I should not have to wait hours every time. I mentioned my insurance issue to the PA (physicians assistant) that last time I saw him and he basically said good luck in finding any one else that will see you. Do you think that it will be that hard?? I am not dumb enough to burn the bridge if I know that there is no other way. I am annoyed and upset and the more I think about it the more peeved I get. I also think that if god forbid something goes wrong and I need additional surgery I will have no coverage, because if I wait until that point then probably no one else will want to touch the situation. I am pulling my hair out!! Not like it needs any help to fall out!! I need some words of wisdom from those of you are as far out as I am. What would you do??

find a new surgeon for you followups. I would call around and say that your insurance is no longer accepted at your surgeon and you need a dr for checkups. I am sure you will find one. keep your head up! I bet it wont be that hard to find one. keep us posted on what happens!

It is just so frustrating! Especially with the surgeons office trying to scare me into thinking that no one else will be willing to take me on as a patient.

I agree you should make a few phone calls and find a new doc. Explain the situation and see what they say. At the moment you are only being seen for follow up appointments god forbid you have any future problems but I'm sure you can find a competant doctor that can fix the problem.

That is my fear that god forbid something happen then for sure I will be black listed so to speak. The insurance won't be able to do a damn thing for me!! GGGRRRRR!!!

I wonder if it's possible to do all this through email. Get a list of accepted providers from the insurance company. Email each provider with the cir****tances and the question as to whether they would accept you as a new patient and provide care for any problems that may arise from the surgery. At least you'd have it in writting if any future problems came up. Pam T