Insurance Issues?

Does anyone know if CHRIAS is having problems with insurance again?  My neighbor was supposed to have surgery this week but was told last week that CHRIAS no longer participates with their insurance and they needed to pay $6,000 up front they have Keystone Health Plan needless to say, they aren't having the surgery.  I was wondering if this was a BC/BS thing again or just HMO has anyone heard anything?

I haven't heard of anything.  I recall last time I had heard anything the ladies who had already had insurance received a letter prior to the date from the doctor.  Us pre-ops did not, but being post op now I have not gotten anything.  I do have my 9 month appointment next month...which I have to reschedule due to vacation.

I have BCBS and had no problem with coverage at all.

Apparently there was a problem last week. I was scheduled and told 1 weel prior that even though I had bcbs and met ALL the pre-req's I was denied. I was so upset. There were a dozen or more of us in this boat. I guess the insurances are playing there old games of not wanting to pay-AGAIN. Apparently this happen every 12-16 months. Tell your friend not to give up & find out what they need to do, more prerequisits? more calling the insurance co and asking for appeals? Tell them to read the Weightloss Surgery for Dummies book. It has a whole chapter on this topic of denail from insurance co's. And whatever they do DON'T give up. Mine all work out & I am 1 week post -op. Good Luck, Leslie

I wanted to have my RNY at Chrias, but was informed that my insurance BCBS Personal Choice PPO would pay for everything but the doctor's fees. The fees run between $7-9000!!! So I found out that the Barix Clinic in Langhorne, Pa [just north of Phila.] is approved and everything is covered. The doctors at Chrias are now considered out of network. I am having my preop testing done over the next two weeks. I am very impressed with Barix Clinic.  ReneeB53

Thanks for the replies.  I haven't heard that they are out of network again.  I too have BC/BS Personal Choice PPO this happened right before my surgery last year and then they straightened everything out for awhile and then it happened again after surgery and again got some kind of extension.  Apparently they are still not meeting eye to eye with insurance company.  I wonder how this will effect follow up visits.  I guess I'll find out when I go in Sept.