HELPPP!!!

Was going through the final steps leading up to my surgery day, all of a sudden my doctor that I been seeing decided to retire, and can't do the surgery before his final day. Now it look like it will be a while before I get a surgery date.  Also my insurance is expiring in a few days, and COBRA is to expensive.  Did anyone purchase their own insurance policy to have the surgery? or use the Affordable care act (Healthcare)? any suggestions.

We are so sorry to hear all you are going through.  Try posting this on the Insurance, Cash Pay and Financing forum also.  

a private pay policy generally won't cover this.  and it won't be much cheaper than cobra.   take the cobra coverage for a few months if you can.  otherwise you are looking at private pay which is way more.   didn't your surgeon make any arrangements for someone to assume his patients? 

by law , cobra coverage is the cost your employer pays plus a modest administration cost.   gl.  diane

Is he the only surgon in his office you might be able to have him refer you to another surgon.

I know what you are going through with your surgeon.  I was going to have my husbands surgeon, and was all set up with him, had seen him a few times, then he moves to a another place--doing something different.  Then I picked a very good surgeon at the same practice, and right after surgery (I'm not kidding) he announces that he is moving out of state.  So, it leaves you feeling a little scared and unsure about things.  BUT you will be fine, just look over the surgeons credentials and make sure it's right for you.  Hope all works out with the insurance situation, I'd hate for this to stop you when you've come this far!

Thanks alot for the replies, I'm talking with a clinic right now that possibly could do my surgery next month.  It just sucks I came down to the last step and I got hit with this curve ball. :(

I'm glad someone is gonna do it keep us posted.

I agree, it sucks big time. How thoughtless of him to get you this far and ditch you!!

OTOH, you're approved, right?  That means you can make it happen if you hurry. I agree COBRA is awful (my quote was over $800/month for family of 3) - but still cheaper than self-pay. 

Good luck!!

keep at it. i had to have a big fight with my insurance carrier and went through a lot of pre op obsticles but in the end, having to fight made me more successful.  good luck.  diane

Beg the office. Let them know why it is so critical to get it before he retires and loss of your insurance. They can many times make something work. If that doesn't work, then what Diane says- the Cobra will be worth it for a bit to cover the costs. Check with the surgeon- I know mine included in the cost of the surgery all of the follow-up care for a year. Thus, carrying it for just a couple of months is typically long enough to be fairly assured trips to the ER or other complications are taken care of in the unlikely event they occur.