Dr Blackstone no longer a UHC Provider?!??!?!

So here is my rant for today, I got a letter in the mail from my insurance company advising me that as of June 2007 Dr. Blackstone will no longer be a UHC provider. WT heck is going on?!??!?!? My surgery is scheduled for 3/21/2007, so I would barely be 2 months out.......My letter suggested that unless I was receiving acute care treatments, that I look for another surgeon.....I'm really confused on what to do, because I want to have my surgery and follow-up care from the same person, and I don't have any out-of-network benefits on my plan at all. It's going to really suck if I have to start this process all over with another surgeon....What am I going to do?!?!??!? Alli

Alli, Call the office and ask them what to do. From what I remember the first 4 months after surgery appointments are completely covered within the surgery costs. After the first 4 months you will have to pay a co-pay... so I think that classifies as Acute Care Treatments. Before anything gets changed, definately call the office. ~Nicole

Hey Alli, I got the same letter. I have a call into WendyJo and am expecting a "Transistion of Care" form from United. I'm not sure it's a done deal till I hear from Dr. B's office. Sometimes Drs use this as a negotiating tool to get more money from insurance, it happened twice with my GYN's office. Wait to hear from Dr. B's office as will I. Email me if you get any info. and I'll do the same. Because I'm 8 weeks out it will be easier for me, but still I don't want to change drs at this point either because they're all soooo different in their followup care. I see Randy week after next and will ask him as well. I know this is a bummer if it is indeed correct. Katie

Hi Alli, I am just starting the process, have UHC, have my very first 4 hour appt this week (Wed 1-3) for psych eval, nutritonist, etc. Terry (Dr B's patient services) told me that Dr B would no longer be accepting UHC after June 1, but that if all goes well, I could get surgery well before then. (assuming all accepted, tests, etc). It really didn't click with me about all the follow up and whether that would be included or not once you start the process So believe me, this will be a BIG question of mine on Wednesday because it is hard enough to make the decision, start the process, then have to regroup - and I can't even imagine how you and others in your position must be stressing right now because you are so much further along than I am... I will be sure to post whatever I find out on Wed... Paula

Oh and I will also ask this question: if you're sending letters to current patients that they may want to lok for another surgeon if they have UHC, why did they accept me to even get started? I don't want to go there and pay the money for these tests/evaluations to then be told I should look for another doctor -- I will call them Tuesday, before my appts on Wednesday, now that I think about this a little more... Can anyone post exactly what the letter says? Just type it in here? Thx if you can -- Paula

I too got the letter. However, my company has changed to Cigna starting Jan. 1st, so I guess I will luck out. One thing to think about though, are Robin;s partners. Maybe when she gets some on board, they will be accepted by United. When I was considering going to Tempe St. Lukes, the doc there said that he was under contract, but his partner wasn';t. So, there is hope over the horizon!

That is a very good point... didn't think of that. Did anyone else get the newsletter from SBC and Dr. Blackstone wrote a part in it stating that 2 new surgeons are joining the practice in July. Those 2 doctors may not want to participate with UHC. Here it is: "A Holiday Message from Dr. Robin Blackstone and SBC I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday from the team at Scottsdale Bariatric Center. 2006 has been an outstanding year for our Center. We have provided medical and surgical therapy to many people suffering from the disease of morbid obesity. SBC was recognized as one of only 71 programs in the US with a five star ratings. We also have had our first academic papers accepted for publication. We thank all our patients for their participation in the database which allows us to share our methods and help improve the care of morbid obese patients in other programs. We also pioneered our Outpatient Adjustable Gastric Band program in August which has enjoyed tremendous success! We have added some key people to our group this year including Lisa Rivera, as Director of Research and Diane Giammarino as the practice manager. The surgical team has seen some changes. Dr. Kieran is working with the Indian Health Service in Phoenix to repay a commitment to the US government. Dr. Koler is teaching anatomy at a local osteopathic school. We wish both of them great success in their new venues. Randy, Melissa and I have been working a little harder! In July Dr. Tanya Gunsberger will be joining the surgical team and an additional surgeon is being sent to work with us from Canada. We have expanded our teaching program and have residents in family practice, surgery and medical students rotating with us to learn about the care of obese patients. December can be a stressful month with a lot of competing demands for our time and attention. Let me share with you a few ideas that may help you weather the month a little easier. Take time to be with those people you love. Savor the moments you have with your friends and family and replace the quantity of giving gifts or attending parties with quality time with those you value most. Giving thanks for life, even the parts that may not have been easy this year, will allow you to become more open to receiving the beauty of this season. It is worth taking some to time to get in touch with the real magic of this Holiday season! Give everyone around you a mulligan or two. Before reacting in a sharp way or being negative about a family member or coworker, realize that they are as stressed out as you are. Continue to exercise every day, plan for time to do this. Exercise reduces your stress level and turns an otherwise crazy day into one where you feel much more in control. Plan your food, pick your parties! Moderation is the key to living well but without obesity. Decide what you will eat before you go to a social event. Most of the time you should eat a little something before you go and be sure to drink a lot of water. If you have had a gastric bypass we recommend that you not drink alcohol. Slow down the pace. Many of the things you think you have to do, or ought to do may just not be necessary. Try to take some time to sort out and make sure you spend time on only those things that really need to be done and let the rest go take that time to take a walk with your spouse, or ride your bike with the kids. The gift of your time and attention may be more valuable than anything you can buy. I hope this little bit of advice helps get you through this season. We are excited about 2007! From all the people that make up SBC we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!" Dr. Robin Blackstone

Thanks Nicole - I saw this info on their electronic newsletter, but do you have the letter they sent about not taking UHC after June? That is what I want to know since I have UHC and have my very first appts (psych eval, nutritionist, etc) this Wed - but I don't want to start and pay for that if they're not going to take my insurance after June 1 Thanks!!! Paula

Sorry, I heard about the United Healthcare change on here. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. I would call them and ask them for advice on what to do.

Hi all, I called and talked to Terry at Dr B's office today about the UHC issue. She sdaid that there is a meeting this Fri, 1-5, to decide for sure one way or the other - they are sitll negotiating, I guess, but she did indicate it didn't look too favorable for UHC to be continued after June 1st - but won't know for sure till after the meeting on Friday. I postponed my eval's that were scheduled for tomorrow, because I really hate to get started to have to stop and backtrack. She did call me later and tell me that another patient w/UHC said once youhave the surgery, all else is covered, but I'd like that in writing per my specific policy. So I'm waiting till after the meeting Friday to decide what to do. Just fyi ...