Lawyer Needed!!

My insurance FINALLY approved me. After being in the GBS program with my doc since February and doing EVERYTHING he has asked (EGD, colonscopy, sleep study, chest x-ray, EKG, labs, lose weight) my doc finally set a date & the hospital is ready...but...the doc has cancelled my surgery 2 times now because the hospital won't give him new equipment!! Come to find out, this new equipment is a "non-contracted item" that he now wants the hospital to supply him that will cost the hospital $7,000. This new equipment was not on his original list of supplies but he now says that he is not doing anymore surgeries until he has this equipment! AND...since I work at this hospital, he has the nerve to have me to persue this with the hospital administration! The hospital is refusing to buy anymore equipment especially something that is a "non-contracted item"...and...he hasn't done that many GBS for the hospital to re-coup their investment. STALEMATE!!! I'm now looking into other docs and hospitals out of town but still within my insurance. Anyone know a good bariatric lawyer that may persue "breach of verbal contract"?

You must not be his only patient with this problem. I'll bet if all his gastric bypass patients contact hospital administration - they'll find the $$ somewhere.

I am sorry to hear about your story. I wish you the best of luck in your fight to get this done. It's unfortunate that you have done everything you had to and this is what happens. I hope you get a surgery date soon, have a speedy recovery, (and make a little money putting this doctor in his place!!) God Bless, Tiffany.

Cindy I think the way your surgeon is wanting you to pursue his equipment needs with hospital administration is absurd. Would he ask a patient that does not work at the hospital to do the same thing. Working in a hospital environment you know that the facility is not going to lay money out for equipment unless they know there will be a return on the investment. I live in Monroe which is about 21/2 hours from Columbus. We have an excellent surgeon that does GBS. He did mine on 5/18/04. I have had no problems and have dropped 105 lbs. Check out Mark Benak on your insurance. I know our facility has First Health-HMA and he is on that insurance. You can e-mail me directly if you need my help with anything. Carolyn