Question:
How long does it take for a surgeon facility to become

I have BC BS POS Federal Employee, through my husband. I have been approved through my insurance that it is medically necessary for the WLS, however, I am going through the BTC in Langhorne, PA and they are opening their facility in Sept. and are not "in network" yet. I wanted to know how many surgeries they need under their belt before they are in network with my insurance.    — Janine L. (posted on August 24, 2002)

August 24, 2002
JUST WANTED TO CORRECT MY TYPE OF INSURANCE!!! IT'S "PPO" NOT "POS". SORRY FOR ANY COFUSION...
   — Janine L.

August 24, 2002
Maybe the question you should be asking yourself instead is how many surgeries should they have done before I feel comfortable trusting that doctor with my life. I would suggest he/she have done a couple hundred.
   — heathercross

August 24, 2002
Just because a surgical center is not in network does not mean that the surgeon doesn't have the credentials or qualifications for doing the Bariatric surgeries. If they worked under another medical group's name or they were in a University setting or for whatever reason they worked under another tax I.D. number, it would explain why they are going through contracting to become in network. It usually takes about six weeks for everything to be checked out and another couple of weeks to get all the contracts signed. Insurance companies have set criteria and standards that have to be met before they sign up a doctor. The application is incredibly long and very thorough and if they sign the doctors then they already have the "surgeries under their belt". Also, when a doctor is contracted in network they have to show proof of sufficient mal-practice insurance to cover what they do.
   — Sue A.

August 24, 2002
From other reports here BTC is moving surgeons from other centers. Other posters here are unhappy that their surgeon is leaving for PA. I admoire the BTC appreoach. A speciality operation is a great idea. My wife Jen a RN has commented how much that exposure to a single surgery must jelp care both in the hosital and after the patient is out...
   — bob-haller

August 25, 2002
Hi, Iam taking a friend of mine up to the Langhorn center in early Sept. to take a looksee and see what it is all about , she has BCBS so I'll let everyone know whats up, and how our visit turned out when I get back. Take-care everyone, Rose :)
   — Rho