New to Indiana Board

Hi my name is Christina and would like to join the Indiana board. I had my RNY in 2003 and then a Revision in March of this year.  My start out weight in 2003 was 320 and now i weight 190  so i am happy and muy next goal is likr 15 lbs away at 175 ish. I would like to ask anyone if they can tell me of a good PS here in Indianapolis. also want do i need to do to see is i can get a breast reduction what are the set i need to take. I have BSBS PPo will they cover this. what Dr.'s do ineed to see to get this cover by the Ins. any help Please 
Thanks , Christina  

Welcome to the Indy board!! I had a consultation with Dr Grasee at Carmel Plastic Surgeons earlier this summer, hoping to get a panniculectomy covered by BCBS PPO.  They turned it down for multiple reasons (not significant hanging skin, no documentation of medical intervention and fewer than 18 mos since my RNY), so I'll try again next year.  Her office was wonderful to work with, she is very personable and her staff is happy to work with your insurance to see if they can get you covered!

Also, call BCBS directly, because every PLAN is different.  MY BCBS PPO may cover things that yours may not, and vice versa.  If you call customer service, they can look at your specific plan and tell you not only what is covered, but what your OOP percentage may be after deductible/co insurance etc.  For me, a panniculectomy self pay is just over $5000 with Dr Grasee...but I have a $1750 deductible and 25% co insurance, so I'd end up paying close to the $5K even if insurance "paid" for it.  Of course, that $5K her office quoted me likely doesn't include the hospital or anesthesiologist charges, but still....

I remember you....you and Lynn had surgery about the same time...how ya doing???? i was sweet tweety or Angie i still am....

Hi Christina...

Like Angie, I believe I remember you too..so welcome back.

I had my plastics with Dr. Bergman. She is in the same office as Dr. Grassee. Both ladies were wonderful to work with. My BCBS did pay for the panni portion of my surgery. As said, it's dependent on the contract that BCBS has with your carrier (ie, employer). If I had only had the panni part done, since my deductible was taken care of for the year, it wouldn't have cost me anything at all.

Dr. Bergman/Dr. Grassee's office staff is fantastic and so easy to work with. They will do everything they can to obtain insurance coverage for you. More importantly, the surgeons after surgery care is top notch. I ended up with complications 10 days afterwards that had nothing really to do with the plastics (just my darn body!!). I cannot tell you how many office visits I have had in the past two years since my plastics, at NO charge. Dr. Bergman also assisted my stomach surgeon with two surgeries on my stomach to try to reduce the amount of scaring I have. The insurance 'allowed' this but only paid her ~$100 each time. And then there are the hospital visits that she made to see me. Other specialists (hemotology, GI, respirtory, infectious desease, etc) all charged $150-200 per visit. She didn't charge me or my insurance a dime.

Can you tell that I think very highly of the ladies? lol. I'm going back and having my girls taken care of as soon as my tummy issues allow me to.

Good luck!
Sherri

Welcome to another Christina!

Wow - after reading Sherri's testimonial for Dr. Bergman, when the time comes, I will have to see her!  I can only have the panni removal though - I think my insurance will cover that - only if I have rashes.  They won't cover anything else though....   

I don't want to delay retirement till I'm 80 to pay for it - what good will it do me then?  LOL

Best of luck to you.