I think I might need a new surgeon...

Can anyone recommend a good surgeon in the Atlanta area that does lap RNY and takes Aetna EPO insurance. I have been going to Peachtree Bariatrics and I am still being told Dr. Duncan's credentials are pending and nobody has been able to tell me why. Anyway for that reason they can't send my paperwork to Aetna for approval. It is certainly frustrating to be dealing with them since December of last year and now I can't even get everything sent to insurance. I thought the fight would be with the insurance company not the surgeon's office. I don't know why I am the only one that seems to be having this problem with them right now. Anyway I think I am going to go ahead with a new surgeon..Any suggestions..Thanks, Susan

Susan, You might try calling Dr Michael Williams. His office is in Marietta (770-425-5525). I know that he does do the lap band, but I do not know anything about the insurance issues. Good luck!! Norma

Hi Susan, I can highly reccomend Dr. John Daly. He did my surgery, and I just absolutely love him. His office is by Northside Hospital. He operates at Northside and Emory Dunwoody. Look him up in the phone book, and ask for Tammy. She can answer any questions you have about insurance. And His office staff is always available, and easy to get ahold of. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-185-155 (-100)

Most people would recommend their own doctor - so here's the name of mine......Celio Burrowes. I've heard similar complaints about the practice you're using so don't be surprised. Good luck in your search

Dr Hart did my lap RNY in March and I was very pleased with him. There are several other surgeons who are wonderful for you to choose from. D'Lynn

Good Afternoon Susan, I am the Executive Director for Peachtree Surgical (Dr.s Duncan, Hobson, and Ejeh). First, let me say that I apologize that someone on our staff could not tell you why AETNA was pending with Dr. Duncan. Our practice does participate with AETNA and has actually increased the number of insurance carriers and we now participating with approximately 98 % of all inurance plans. Dr. Hobson's agreement with AETNA is still in effect. The insurance agreements do not renew automatically and we have to renew on a continual basis for every staff physician. Unfortunately, the past director overlooked the end date on the contract with AETNA and as a result the agreement expired. Dr. Duncan is being recredentialed and the process is an administrative process. We fully expect Dr. Duncan to be recredentialed within a few weeks. I have been with the practice approximately 8 weeks and we are making several changes to better serve our patients such as, decreased patient wait times, quicker insurance verification, etc. We are also opening another office in Roswell (North Fulton Hospital) to serve those patients north, northeast and northwest of Atlanta. All patients are now given a patient satisfaction survey and we capture the data and respond accordingly. I appreciate your comments, good and bad, because we need to continue to make improvements for the benefit of the patient and not the practice. If someone on our staff did not answer your questions or did not respond in a manner that gave the answer you were seeking, than we are not doing our jobs. Please feel free to contact me directly with any concerns or questions. I assure you we will address any concerns or questions you may have. Don Kirk

I made an appointment with a new surgeon this morning but when I got home I had a message from Tracy saying that my info is being sent to Aetna and that she will give me a confirmation number in the morning. I hope that I did not get Tracy or Lolita in trouble,I know they are extremely busy. I called them back and the main office to see why Dr. Duncan's credentials were pending and nobody could give me an answer. I just wasn't sure what was going on and then I went to the Aetna website and couldn't even find Dr. Duncan's name as a participating surgeon so I thought I should find another surgeon. I do appreciate your response and I am planning on cancelling my appt with the new surgeon. Thanks, Susan

Don, I note that you mentioned you worked for Duncan's office, and that surveys were being given to patients for feedback. May I make a suggestion that you go back into your files and forward surveys to past patients..............I truly believe the feedback you would get, could be rather eye-opening. It is my utmost desire that those who have followed me, and other's like me, through Duncan's practice, get the care that I do not feel I was given. If I can help but one patient have a good outcome I will be grateful. Sincerly and without malice Debbie J Duncan patient 01-14-02 lap-rny 01-15-02 leak repair surgery (non smoker I HAVE NEVER smoked in my life, non steroid taker) 01-28-02 surgery to see if I had another leak, NO thank goodness SEVERE COMPLICATION 45 days in ICU, 33 days kept alive via ventilator 30 days in a rehab hospital, had to learn to walk again Now one happy girl.............LUCKY to be alive