Can know who Cindy Taylor Lamb is?

I had RNY 7 years ago and hubby is having RNY on 4/20th.  I am trying to figure out our out of pocket expense that is to be paid before surgery and having trouble reaching this "assistant".  The phone number goes to a medical billing office who never answers or returns the call.  I am hoping she is on our insurance, but having my doubts! 

I am having a hard time with her. Apparently she is a Private Certified Surgical Assistant. She bills seperately from Dr. G and my insurance denied her claim. I am going round and round with this one and still have not gotten it worked out. She billed my insurance 1750.00, but when they said they weren't paying she billed me $500. She bills it as Assistant Surgeon and she is not a surgeon and that is why Aetna denies it. My issue is I met all of my deductibles and should not have to be out any more money...so I will continue to fight it.

Side Note:   Be sure that Dr Britt is on your insurance. He wasn't on mine and i would have had to pay like $650-700 to see him. I called Dr. G's office and they said that I had to see  him but that's not true. You can go to any pulmonologist that is on your insurance and have the results sent to Dr. G's office.

I also have Aetna and I found him on my insurance.  I hope I didnt mis read something.  Maybe I should look again.  It is Aetna POS. 

I kind of remember the same situation with the Asst Surgeon, but dont recall if it actually got paid by insurance or me.  At the time I had United Healthcare.

After a day of researching, looks like the surgical assistant may be all paid by the patient.  OUCH!  Funny, when it was me having the surgery, I took it all in stride

Except that Dr Britt is the only pulmonolgist and he'll see you in the hosptial.  I was able to get my insurance to cover him since there was no other option available...YMMV.

Aetna paid for Dr. Britt when he saw me when I was in the hospital...but not for an office visit because he was not in their network.

Check her out for sure.  I had RNY 12/11/08 and just recieved a bill from her for 438.00.  I have Aetna and they tell me she is not a recognized provider and not a physician!  No one ever spoke of her prior to surgery and I never met this person prior to surgery.  I thought it would be Dr G, Dr Kirk and Dr Britt.  I am upset and have filed an appeal with my insurance.  Kathy L

According to the letter included in the packet of papers we picked up on Thursday, she will be assisting Dr. G.  Nothing we can do about it and warns us that Aetna is unlikely to pay it and if they do it will be 10 - 20%.  They will be in the insurance double what they charge and then back the price back down when the insurance denies it.  I guess knowing no one will be happy with a 1200 bill, then they accept $500 most times.  Aetna has already told me they dont cover surgeon assistants.  I am not thrilled, but have no choice apparently.  I think the $438 might be with Aetna paying a VERY small portion. 

From what AETNA told me the real issue that they have with her is that she bills as an Assistant Surgeon and she is not a Surgeon. I think that if she would bill using a different code this may not be an issue. I do not remember reading or being told anything about this woman. I am going to dig out my packet when I get home and/or call Dr. G's offcie and ask if we were told about this.

My husband got a letter with all the information on it.  I believe he just got it last week, but not sure what it was included with because he brought home 2 different envelopes that day.  Most of the stuff was in regards to upfront $$.  Just 2 more weeks for him.