Anyone else looking at Dr Frantzides?

My friend had this dr and I am thinking about using him too. It's a quite a trip to Skokie for me and my insurance said he isn't in their network so I'm not sure if I can use him or not?

He isn't in any networks.  I saw him first and was not happy that he wasn't going to even file to my insurance for me. His office told me I had to. I went to a different surgeon, who did mine in Dec., and he was able to get my ins to pay.  All I paid was my $250 copay and my insurance covered the rest of the $62,000. 

Wouldn't St. Louis be closer for you than Chicago? There are so many repeat visits with the band, you might want to look at something nearby. We go an hour both ways and made ten trips last year and have probably made 4 trips already this year.

Connie 

I second that... I saw him and he wanted a down payment of some outrages amount... I was not happy with him at all....

My experience with him was FANTASTIC. I truly believe he saved my life. Yes, he is out of network with all insurance companies. The office filed for me, got my approval in under a week, and all went great. I was never asked for a down payment at all.Sorry your experience wasn't as wonderful as mine.

Shar

I wanted him to do my surgery but he didnt take my ins either. I will say I talked ot him and his nurses on the phone several times. they were so wonderful and helpful. Ive always heard good things about him.

This is an old thread, but just in case some one finds it while researching, I thought I'd add my experience.

Unlike the claims made on his website, he is NON-NETWORK. He will flat out tell you at your appt (which will set you back $450) that he does not work with any insurance companies and that you will have to make arrangements to pay his professional fees up front.

My experience with this surgeon has been horrible & I am sorry I wasted my time.

Dr F is the best surgeon in his field. I would not even consider going with someone else when you are having major surgery where you could have complications and die. I researched I went to st Louis and Springfield IL. I decided to go with Dr. F and I am 3 years out and still as happy as I was the 1st day. He is my angel, my life saver. I had medicaid I took out a loan to pay his fees and then medicaid paid for everything else. You can go to someone cheaper, but you get what you paid for. This is just my personal opinion and I had to post because He is the best in his field. He made some of the tools they use to do the surgery. He was one of the first in the country to even do laproscopic. I had 5 little holes and I have lost 155 pounds. I drive 6 hours to have the best.