St Louis University Insurance questions

Hi! This is my first message to the group. I've been thinking about taking this step for several months. Then, with the recent news about the lap band surgery and diabetes, I've decided this is probably a good move for me. My question today, is about any insurance potholes I need to be aware of. Our insurance is through my husband's work. He works for St Louis University, in St Louis. The insurance is United Health Care. Has anyone had any experience with either the University, or the carrier, that I need to hear about? I would also like to hear any recommendations as far as local doctors in St Louis. Thanks! Duibheasa   .

Hi There! I had my surgery on the 1/9 w/ Dr Minkin. He is out of Des Peres Hospital and is running ads on Channel 5 explaining the procedure. His office staff is very friendly and he is very comfortable to talk with. They have seminars to learn more, you can call the hospital for more info. As far as the insurance goes it really depends on the plan. Some people I know had Anthem and it was covered under their specific plan. However under my husbands plan it was a direct exclusion..Which meant they were not paying no matter my condition. I had to self pay but I think it will be worth it. I havent' had my first fill yet..I do have some restriction ..not much but I have already have lost 21lbs. That is starting on Sunday (6th) before surgery the liquid diet. Much luck to you!

Thanks mowally! And good luck!

just wanted to welcome you to the board and wish you much luck on your quest , usually people do it one of two ways i think , find a doctor and have them to check about your insurance or call your insurance company directly to see if they cover wls. some will cover bypass and not bands so be sure and fine out which yours will cover if theydo. most have 6 month waiting periods now where you have to do diet and exercise all officially noted and reported to them.  Anyway good luck on finding out what you are covered for.  and again welcome to the board.

My husband works at Wash U.  Sorry.  :-/ I can, however, recommend a good local doctor!  My surgeon, Valerie Halpin, is part of a terrific practice that focuses on bariatric surgery.  They have a comprehensive support program, great bedside manner, and fabulous staff.  Without a doubt, I would recommend her (and her partner, Chris Egan). Barnes Jewish was a trial, though.  I was in the main part of the hospital, and most patients are in the north part, so maybe you'd have a better experience...  I don't know about any other St. Louis hospitals, but I'd do almost anything to avoid going back to BJH.  I still shudder at the plethora of bad experiences I had there, but two really stand out: 1.  I had my period during my stay.  I had a pair of nurse/tech who were just grossed out by that and refused to change my pad during a time when I couldn't even sit up or shift my weight alone.  When the tech was finally made to do so, she wouldn't keep the curtain closed for privacy.  The nurse, meanwhile, wouldn't answer any of my questions.  She told me that I was bleeding internally... and then wouldn't tell me my temperature or if I was going to be okay or ANYTHING that was going on!  (In BJH's defense, when my husband and I lodged a formal complaint against both of these women, the hospital readily did what they could to remedy the situation.  But, still...  What kind of nurse gets freaked out by menstrual blood and terrifies a patient with bad news and won't answer basic questions?  What kind of tech gets freaked out by menstrual blood and refuses to keep a curtain closed while she's exposing the patient's genitals to the world?  I'm never going to get over this.  It was the most humiliating and traumatic experience of my life.) 2.  The kitchen is incompetent.  First day after surgery, they sent me solid food.  Hahaha.  Like, fried chicken.  When I finally got them to correct it, they sent me juice with sugar added.  Eventually, they figured out sugar-free juice and jello, but when it was actually time for me to start pureed foods... nada.  They just didn't have anything that was pureed in consistency and sugar free.  They sent up yogurt with sugar added, for instance.  There was a day when the nurses simply told me that they didn't have anything to give me and suggested that my husband go to the grocery store to get me some sugar free yogurt.  Unbelievable!  (And, again, in BJH's defense, the resident dietician was as appalled at this as I was, even going so far as to personally supervise the next day's food preparations and give me her cell in case something wasn't going the right way.  Apparently, they were short-staffed in the kitchen or something.  But, seriously.  We're a hospital, we perform RNY surgery, but we don't know what sort of diet that entails and we can't provide it?  Puh-lease.) If you go with Barnes Jewish, definitely have someone available to spent most of the day and the night with you.  Beg to be allowed to have an overnight guest in your room (it worked for me for all but the last night) or arrange in advance to have a single.  And expect to have to ride the already overworked nurses to get the care you need.  It's sad, but the solution to the hospital not wanting to pay a larger nursing staff isn't for patients to go without care.

Dear Laurel, Thanks so much for your recommendations. I'm so sorry you had such experiences at BJC. I hope they were a very gross exception to the rule. Nevertheless, I will be forwarned, should I have to go there. I'd actually prefer St Mary's if I can work it out. Donna