buffalobillsfan
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2014
- Messages
- 81
Thanks to board support more than anything I am doing so much better after my surgery a week ago. Here is my latest dilemma though
Our medical insurance is BCBS of Illinois. My husband works for UPS Freight/Teamsters and although we have a PPO plan we have ZERO out of network benefits and no coverage. Zip, Zero! That benefit has always been the case even when Aetna or United was the provider. When I had my DS I paid out of pocket for Dr Rabkin's surgeon fees because he doesn't accept insurance. The hospital and everything else was covered by insurance.
When I went to the El Camino Hospital last Sunday for the bowel obstruction I told them that Dr Rabkin did my DS. They called him and then came in and asked me if I wanted to go to California Pacific Medical Center to be treated by him. Of course I was elated, said yes, and was whisked away by ambulance to CPMC.
I was so scared and in so much pain at the time but I do remember voicing my concern to Dr Rabkin about out of network, no coverage stuff. Of course he would have NO idea anything about insurance so now I'm not sure why I brought it up to him. I believe he said something about things are different when its an emergency. I was almost on my way out the door for surgery when I finished my registration.
Now I'm having panic attacks in my sleep worrying about this. I can't afford to pay for this surgery if the surgeon isn't covered. There was one DS surgeon (he does them RARELY) at the first hospital I was at. I think he might be in network. I really wanted Dr Rabkin because he knows my guts better than anyone.
Does anyone know how this will work? My husband said we will sell the house to pay it off if that is the case. This doesn't make me feel any better. This is why I am our household life manager!!! I'm a nervous wreck and it's ruining my appetite. Is it the hospital's responsibility to check insurance coverage prior to surgery and then inform you if something isn't covered? I signed a bunch of papers but had no idea what they were. I was on my way to surgery. Thanks again for your sage advice!
Our medical insurance is BCBS of Illinois. My husband works for UPS Freight/Teamsters and although we have a PPO plan we have ZERO out of network benefits and no coverage. Zip, Zero! That benefit has always been the case even when Aetna or United was the provider. When I had my DS I paid out of pocket for Dr Rabkin's surgeon fees because he doesn't accept insurance. The hospital and everything else was covered by insurance.
When I went to the El Camino Hospital last Sunday for the bowel obstruction I told them that Dr Rabkin did my DS. They called him and then came in and asked me if I wanted to go to California Pacific Medical Center to be treated by him. Of course I was elated, said yes, and was whisked away by ambulance to CPMC.
I was so scared and in so much pain at the time but I do remember voicing my concern to Dr Rabkin about out of network, no coverage stuff. Of course he would have NO idea anything about insurance so now I'm not sure why I brought it up to him. I believe he said something about things are different when its an emergency. I was almost on my way out the door for surgery when I finished my registration.
Now I'm having panic attacks in my sleep worrying about this. I can't afford to pay for this surgery if the surgeon isn't covered. There was one DS surgeon (he does them RARELY) at the first hospital I was at. I think he might be in network. I really wanted Dr Rabkin because he knows my guts better than anyone.
Does anyone know how this will work? My husband said we will sell the house to pay it off if that is the case. This doesn't make me feel any better. This is why I am our household life manager!!! I'm a nervous wreck and it's ruining my appetite. Is it the hospital's responsibility to check insurance coverage prior to surgery and then inform you if something isn't covered? I signed a bunch of papers but had no idea what they were. I was on my way to surgery. Thanks again for your sage advice!