Question:
how do you pick a surgeon and know they are part of insurance

I have already had a surgeon consult, now I'm realizing my surgeon does not transect the stomach and I am worried about staple line disrution later on. I knew my medical group had already referred patients to this surgeon, I did not know I was able to go anywhere else. I don't know anything about changing surgeon's and how they are approved. It's my medical group who approves the surgery, so I guess the surgeon has to contract with them????? But I'd really like to see someone else, this process is taking forever.....    — Mandy M. (posted on April 7, 2001)

April 7, 2001
Mandy, If you find another sugeon that you would be more comfortable with I would suggest calling your insurance company, and in many cases you can look them up on line. Ususally there is a list of doctors in the network that are contracted with the insurance company. It's also dependent on weather your plan is an HMO, PPO, or POS. If you have an HMO usually you would go to your Primary care physician and asked to be referred to a specific doctor. If you have a PPO or POS it is my understanding that you can go directly to the sugeon, and then they submit for approval. It is always a good idea to research a few surgeons and then narrow it down, check w/ the insurance company and go from there. This saves alot of time in the process because you will know ahead of time the probable outcome as far as approval. I hope this information helps. Let me Know how it goes for you. Good Luck.
   — Kim B.