What a revolting development this is!

On 1/3 I had a consultation with Dr. David Ward, in his Somerville, NJ office. I think he is very knowledgeable and nice and I love the office manager, Kate F. I was told to get appointments with the recommended nutritionist and the psychologist and then call the patient coordinator fro a surgery date. Wheehee!!!! Well, 2 days later, I finally got to talk to her and guess what, Dr. Ward is no longer an In-Network Dr. for United Health Care!! I have the Choice Plus Plan and his services are not covered. Seems somone should have been aware of that little detail, but just telling you guys incase he is your physician of choice and you also have United Health Care. So, I have a surgery date of 2/28/2005, but it ain't gonna happen! I'm calling tomorrow to make an appointment with Drs. Abkin and Bertha, where I was going originally. At least if I'm back to square one, it only took 3 days time instead of weeks and weeks. Hope this news helps someone.

rENEE, SORRY TH HEAR OF YOUR DISAPOINTMENT WITH YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE. THANKS GOD FOR QUAL CARE PPO THEY ROCK! IAM NOT SUREWHERE EWING IS BUT I KNOW THERE ARE TWO DOCS IN FREEHOLD AT CENTRA STATE A DR WASHINGTON AND A DOCTOR NOYAN. THEY GET YOU IN PRETTY FAST TWO IESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE HAD PRE CERTSDONE. I WAS GOING TO USE THE GUY AT JERSEY SHORE AND DUE TO PROBLEMS HE IS NO LONGER OING WLS BUT I HAD UNEASY FEELING ABOUT HIM SO I HAD CHANGED BACK TO MR FIRST CHOICE DR BOARO AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL BUT I HAVE WAITED OVER A YEAR FOR A DAYE WITH HIM BUT AT LEAST I KNOW HE IS A EXCELLENT SURGEON. SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK INTO THE OTER DOCS OR BITE THE BULLETT AND WAIT. IT HAS BEEN A LONG WAIT BUT I THINK HE WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT. GOOD LUCK THANKS FOR YOUR POST EARILER I JUST FORUND OUT TIDAY I WAS APPROVED!! YAAA HOO! JOYCE

Thanks so much for the advice - with many advisers, plans succeed! I'll check out the Drs. in Freehold - it's not very far from my home! Thanks and congratulations to you - you're on your way!!!

My advice would be to call your insurance and ask them what surgeon(s) is/are in-network so that you can get a short list of people to consider and then meet with at least two of them. I met with three different surgeons/teams and in the end I was completely comfortable with my decision. First I met with a doctor who did a former coworker two years ago. He formerly practiced at each of the hospitals in New Brunswick. I was fine with him personnally but he required $4000 up front and his office staff is the worst I have EVER seen. They gave me a world class run-around about my insurance, my surgery date - even my initial consultation, which I had to wait months to get. I also met with Dr. Noyan & Washington at Centrastate. They were both very nice and I think they DO participate in networks - at least my old insurance, which was a Horizon POS plan (note that network affiliation varies not just by company but also specific plan). Another former coworker of mine had her surgery there in March and she's doing very well. I went with Ward & McLean because they had done a friend of mine, I had a high comfort level, I could have the surgery around the corner from my house, and because I got a surgery date within three months of my initial consult. Almost every post-op I know is supremely loyal to THEIR surgeon(s) so of course I am recommending them. I paid the difference between their charges and the insurance companies' payments, and I feel it was well worth it. Good luck with the financial part... My advice is to go with the most experienced doctors you can find that make you comfortable and that you can afford. It is very common for surgeons to NOT participate in networks - most of them take what the insurance company gives for out of network providers and then they bill you for the rest. Jen

Hopefully things will work out for you. I know that Ewing in down in South Jersey so going to Dr Bertha has to be a hike for you. I just had my surgery on Dec. 27th with Dr Bertha. They got me in for the surgery within 2 weeks of my approval.. I was one of the lucky ones because my company was changing from Aetna POS to Cigna on 1/1/05 and god knows I didn't want to have to do another 6mos of nutrition and exercise and possibly run the risk of being denied by Cigna, so they were great!! Good luck with everything...