Question:
What happens ? My insurer doesn't even list Bariatric surgeons

My insurance company (The mega health and life insurance company)does not have any bariatric surgeons in their network, as it is normally an excluded procedure. I got approval (after one letter and two phone calls)for the surgery based on my co-morbids, However now I cannot find ANY bariatric surgeons listed in their Doctors list. I plan on calling the rep and telling her that their are no bariatric surgeons listed and see if they will pay the in network amounts to the the Doctor my refering pcp suggested (out of network). Has anyone had this experience and what was the final outcome?    — Robert B. (posted on December 7, 2002)

December 7, 2002
I don't have an answer to this, but I have the same problem. My insurance doesn't cover the procedure except if its medically necassary so they have no bariatric surgeons. If this has happened to anyone else I would also love to know what you did. Thanx
   — Tracy L.

December 7, 2002
That's because there is no such thing as a "bariatric surgeon." They are general surgeons who perform bariatric surgery. What you have to do is go to www.asbs.org and cross-check their members with your approved insurance providers. If you find a match, then check out the patient reviews on this site. You can also choose nearby docs from this site, then see if they are on your insurance list, but often that's a little more time consuming, depending on the number of surgeons in your area. Good luck.
   — Leslie F.

December 7, 2002
I had trouble at first. What I did to find a Doc was to look on this web site under find a Doc. Then I got out my insurance provider directory and started matching up the names. Then I found out that these Docs that I were interested in were in the network and the hospital they use were also in my network. But, you need to start by looking under surgeons. The ones I am interested in have done critical care and oncology surgeries and are now doing bariatric too. If you need further help let me know.
   — babrewer

December 7, 2002
When I started this journey, I guess I didn't know what I was looking for. I looked under bariatric surgeons... nothing. Then I searched under "Gastrointerologist" (I think that's it?). I then went to my primary care doctor to give her a heads up on what I wanted to do, and she referred me to my surgeon here in town, who is a general surgeon. I'd have never found him on my own.<br>I like the idea of looking on this site... also talk to your primary care doctor and see what/who they know.<br>Good luck!<br>Kelly
   — Kelly B.

December 7, 2002
my insurance does not list any bariatric surgeons either, but they have a contract with a local weight loss clinic. i found this out by calling the clinic myself and was told they have the contract for my group! i was quite thrilled to find that out, i felt like if they have thecontract then they have done surgeries for them in the past it gave me hope. i'm in appeals right now, they said no the first time. (my pcp said they could too) good luck
   — janetc00

December 7, 2002
I had the same problem. The first thing I did was look at the find a surgeon section of this site and see if any were on my insurance plan, when they all petered out I got the list of general surgeons from my insurance carrier,and started at the top calling every one. For me, the hardest part was finding a surgeon. I went through 4 different surgeons before I found mine. It took 2 years. It was SOOOO worth it though. All it takes is an overwhelming amount of bullheaded stubborness and determination and you will prevail. Never give, Never surrender!!!!
   — dkinson

December 7, 2002
Never give UP!!, Never surrender!!
   — dkinson

December 12, 2002
I'm not sure if you are going to a website and plugging in "Bariatric surgeon " or what. My insurance had a list of sugeons and "bariatric" wasn't one. But I found many bariatric surgeons who list themselves under "general surgeon".
   — Kimmie C.