I posted on a different website and was told that this is a far more active forum, so maybe someone here can help me in my search.
I started the WLS process for DS with Dr. Patrick Coates in Modesto, California in March. I met the requirements, and they submitted my file to my insurance, Blue Cross (PPO) of California. They came back and said no. After a few dozen phone calls, I learned that the hospital Dr. C practices at is no longer considered a Bariatric Center of Excellence and he doesn't seem to have authorization to practice at any hospital that is. Their office isn't open today, so I'll be calling them monday on my lunch break to see who they would refer me to.
I need to find a new doctor that can do Duodenal Switch surgery at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.
After reading Dr. Rabkin's website, I was impressed, then horrified. He doesn't contract with any insurance and they want about 14k in fees upfront. If I had that kind of money, I'd have paid for my own surgery years ago.
If anyone has had DS in California through Blue Cross, (or not blue cross, I'll call any doctor and talk with their staff, that doesn't bother me!) I would love to know who and where you went. California is a huge state and we have friendly neighbors, there has to be someone out there I can go to that my finicky insurance will approve of.
I spent a few days just calming my brain down so I could think clearly, and I value the stories of people who have actually gone through the surgery at these places and with these surgeons more than a Yelp review or what have you.
I started the WLS process for DS with Dr. Patrick Coates in Modesto, California in March. I met the requirements, and they submitted my file to my insurance, Blue Cross (PPO) of California. They came back and said no. After a few dozen phone calls, I learned that the hospital Dr. C practices at is no longer considered a Bariatric Center of Excellence and he doesn't seem to have authorization to practice at any hospital that is. Their office isn't open today, so I'll be calling them monday on my lunch break to see who they would refer me to.
I need to find a new doctor that can do Duodenal Switch surgery at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.
After reading Dr. Rabkin's website, I was impressed, then horrified. He doesn't contract with any insurance and they want about 14k in fees upfront. If I had that kind of money, I'd have paid for my own surgery years ago.
If anyone has had DS in California through Blue Cross, (or not blue cross, I'll call any doctor and talk with their staff, that doesn't bother me!) I would love to know who and where you went. California is a huge state and we have friendly neighbors, there has to be someone out there I can go to that my finicky insurance will approve of.
I spent a few days just calming my brain down so I could think clearly, and I value the stories of people who have actually gone through the surgery at these places and with these surgeons more than a Yelp review or what have you.
