Dr. Hornbostel report

I just got back a little while ago from my seminar with Dr. Hornbostel. I am very pleased and impressed with him. He does his own seminars unlike Dr. Dunshee here in Topeka. He says he likes it that way so he knows what you've been told. This is a man that really cares about his patients as people not numbers. He understands our issues including the Medicare issue and responds to Medicare patients as real people. He goes into very detailed descriptions of each procedure he does and gives all of the pros and cons to each of them. He is very detailed about those pros and cons based on his experience. I thought I knew everything there is to know about this surgery until tonight. While nothing I learned there is significant, I have all kinds of trivia type information. But it is the type of trivia information that is helpful to know. He just covers everything including his fees (very modest) and the hospitals fees. He even goes into the dreaded insurance issue and answers questions about it. His staff seems to be much much more motivated in getting you appoved for insurance coverage. He also gave a web site where people can go to get help with the insurance issue. obesitylaw.com This site is run by a husband/wife team (both lawyers) and all they do is get people insurance approval for this surgery. They both understand our issues having both had a bipass themselves. There is of course a fee for their service which averages about $500. I personaly find that to be a bargain if you are unable to have surgery for lack of coverage. There have been cases where this guy has even gotten approval for writen exclusion policies. (It's the same small print that get the insurances companies out that gets them right back in again sometimes.) Caveat here being that I have not use their sevice and can't speak by first hand experience. At the end of the meeting my wife and I both came away with the feeling that we finaly found a place where they are desperate to help people not just make money. Money is an issue but their patients are a much bigger one. I will follow up with more after I have an appoinment with him which should be sometime in July.

Mark, this is wonderful news! I am so excited for you and your wife! What great news for you. I may have some good news soon also but I am going to wait until I am sure. Dr. H sounds wonderful, as I told you before though for me...support is an issue and I have none, unless I go to another State and I will need some help at least for the first few weeks. I actually feel tearful with joy for you, I remember when you first posted and your disappointed and mine as well, but look at the rainbow starting to shine, isn't it super deeeee duper!!! Keep us posted!

Hooray!! Mark he sounds like a very good person and a good doctor. I am very happy for you and look forward to hearing you announce you have a date. Steph.