Question:
Surgical Follow Ups- How often and how long after surgery?

   — sunneegirl (posted on June 9, 2003)

June 8, 2003
Hi....I'm almost 2 years postop now, and I see my surgeon every 6 months for the rest of my life for followup. I have Aetna HMO, and all I have to do is call my PCP's office, and get a referral for the followup appointments prior to going and it's covered.
   — lily1968

June 9, 2003
When they say POST OP is covered 90 days - this MEANS - your visits to the SURGEON ARE FREE - the cost of these visits are included in your original surgical fee. Your doctor may 'offer' you free for a year (my surgeon did) tho I didnt have to pay may co payment; any visist that was scheduled after the 90 days was charged to the insurance company as a office visit. These were paid by the insurance company (I also had BCBS). Even if your doctor doesnt offer fre for a year like mine; any of the scheduled visists PAST the 90 would be covered; they just arent FREE. You would be required to pay a co-payment and the doctors office would bill the insurance company for an 'office' visist. Surgery post op visits are included in your surgery fee and are 'free' no co payments; no addtional charges from your surgeons office.
   — star .

June 9, 2003
I have a follow-up appt. every 3 months to have my labs done.
   — Cathy S.

June 9, 2003
I have BCBS Fed too and my visits are covered with a co-pay. My surgeon required monthly visits thru the first 6 months, then 9 mo, 1 year, 18 mo and two years-then annually after that. Blood work is done each time and its more of a progress report for the doc who is keeping records of his patients to record long term success rates/statistics and document any long term issues.
   — Cindy R.