Question:
My ins. is php tncare, im appved for surgery, now wait 2 yrs for their dr, help

Okay, i have jumped through all the hoops for my ins. co. and have been approved. I found a surgeon in nash, tn. that i am scheduled to consult with 1/22/03, i did get the referral from my pcp to see him. Now the pcp office says that i have to use an IN NETWORK surgeon, they gave my 3 dr.'s and the shortest wait is 1.5 years. The doctor i am scheduled to see in Jan is looking at surgery in 4 weeks. His insurance nurse said they have several patients with tncare php. Where do i go from here? Please Please respond!    — April D. (posted on December 28, 2002)

December 28, 2002
I too have PHP Tn Care. I too was suppose to see a Dr from Johnson City but because he was booked for 2 years PHP gave me the ok to go to an out of network Dr. I wanted to see Dr Husted because I know of several people who have been operated on by him and I am very impressed with what I have heard. I did meet with him. What a wonderful Doctor! Very caring, extremely knowledgable, compassionate and so non judgemental as is his entire staff!!! Dr Anderson is his partner. I did not meet with him but I hear the same wonderful comments about him. You may be aware of the following but just in case your not I do want to mention that neither Dr Husted or Anderson will meet with you until you attend one of their seminars. The seminar is great! It really answers so many questions that you might have. Also they have a great website with a discussion forum that I check everyday. www.johnhustedmd.com I am sure that you are going to be pleased with Dr Anderson. Wishing you the very best!
   — Pat S.

December 29, 2002
hi april sorry to hear you are having problems with tncare i do not have tncare but had same response at first from my ins. keep pushing, do not give up . i also live in tn. so i know how backed up these DRs. are here. try ky. they have wonderful DRs.i strongly supect any dr that tells you to wait 1.5 yrs needs to get a grip!!!! we dont always have 1.5 yrs, its called dying!!!!!!!!! i know it takes time to see a dr,and get appointments but you can bet your booty if we needed heart surgery or other treatment we would get that . that is why this wonderful state i love watched my dollors go to ky. but thank god i did,i found a wonderful dr. and hospital that gave me my life back and did it all in a matter of a few months. best of luck and may god lead you .
   — teri W.