Patients of Dr. Frantzides

Hi All, I just had a consultation with Dr. Frantzides yesterday. I really like him. Here is my prob. though, I have B/C B/S of IL EPO. He told me that they very rarely approve the surgery. So basically he said that I have to come up with 9,915.00 and pay it to him and if my insurance pays they will reimburse me. Here is my problem I don't have a credit card and I have really crappy credit. I tried to apply for a care credit care for healthcare but I got denied. Does anyone have any suggestions. It looks like I cannot have the surgery because I can't pay him up front. I think that it is wrong for a patient to be denied something just because I have crappy credit. Please someone help!!!!!I am despirate. Thank you all, Kelly

Sorry I also forgot to ask if you think that I should go to someone else who doesn't require this. Thanks again! Kelly

I would go somewhere else!!! I wanted to go to him and he didn't take medicaid but the hospital did so he told me to come up with 6,000 and then he would do it! Seems to me he like getting money up front if you know what I mean. find a dr that will do surgery AFTER you are approved. there are alot of dr out there and you are blessed with insurance. Yes it can be a nightmare but at least you have options to look into! good luck to you.

If you don't mind me asking but who did you go to? Thanks! Kelly

I am going to u of c right now. I have to wait 4-6 months before my evaluation and then they decide if they will accept you. I was going to siu clinic in springfield for 15 months and my date with the surgon is april 2007!! there wait is way long and they only do open rny and they charge 40.00 a month for meetings and you have to go at least a year!!! best wishes

That's just nuts! It would be different if he wanted your deductible and your out of pocket max paid up front but he is asking for alot. BCBS does pay. The hard part is to get their approval and that's what takes time. You may want to try another doctor. Mine is wonderful is you're looking for a recommendation

Thanks Donna for your response. What ticks me off about this whole situation is that I don't even have a deductible and I only am supposed to pay $250 for any type of surgery. Everything is supposed to be paid in full. That is what I pay a high premium for. Who did you see? I was thinking about going to University of Chicago. Alot of my records are there including my sleep study test. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you ahead of time. Kelly

Hi Kelly I saw Dr. Paul Guske at Suburban Surgical Care Specialits. He has offices in Arlington Heights and Elk Grove Village.

You are not that far from Joliet, I LOVE my surgeon if you want his info email me and I will pass it along to you. I had my surgery at St. Joe's in Joliet. Best of luck to you, Nancy

Hi Kelly ... contact your insurance company. I have BCBS of ILL PPO, and was originally denied (due to my employer's exclusion, not that BCBS wouldn't cover it). This WAS over 3 years ago though. I understand they have some hoops for you to jump through (perhaps 6-12 month medically supervised diet), but I think it may be different with different policies. I also tend to believe that BCBS will be MUCH MORE WILLING to approve surgery if its done at one of their designated "Centers of Excellence", so I would definitely contact them and ask who is in that category (I know for a fact Northwestern is). Hang in there ... don't give up, it may just need a little creativity, but if you're in the fight for the long run it will be well worth it. Take care, Karyn