Help! Confused In Florida!! - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes

Native2u · 04-20-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gina0922

Valerie,

When did you attend Dr Jawad's seminar? I went last weekend. A friend and I drove from Melbourne to Kissimmee. Where are you from? How far will you have to drive to have the surgery? Oh, one more question. Did you do the 6 mo dr supervised diet? I will ending my 2 month soon.

I attend Dr Jawad's seminar on March 4. I had to complete the 6 months....Dr supervised diet.....but I had prior notice (cause I contacted my insurance co after attending Fusco's seminar in Sept 2007) and they said that I had to do the 6 month Dr supervised, so, I started that in October 2007. I was done with my 6 month Dr diet at the end of Feb. I live in Merritt Island, so, I will have to drive 2 hours (one way) there & home. I also have a friend that lives in Rockledge that had (April 12) RNY surgery and Dr Jawad did hers too.....she gave him total props! MOF, she is getting her Gtube out tomorrow. I'm hoping to have my surgery in June. I turned in all of my paperwork last week Monday....they got it Tuesday. I can't wait!!

Native2u · 04-20-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

I hate to say this but as this is what i used to do for a profession, the scum has every right to charge a admin fee. BUT my total advice to you is SEEK ANOTHER SURGEON not all surgeons are scummy like that one, even look online and see who your HMO is contracted with and then ask upfront about any hidden fee.

He might have the right (and I understand that paperwork for every patient is different and time consuming) to charge an admin. fee, but, he doesn't have to charge AWAY over and above. I'm wondering what he provides that others don't....with that kinda fee. Actually, Dr. Jawad is more qualified for doing this surgery than Dr. Fusco is!! Dr. Jawad is 2nd in the State of Florida & #11 in the Country for this surgery. I couldn't find Dr. Fusco's name. That speaks for itself.

BTW: if you haven't read my other posts.....I have found Dr Jawad and he is going to do my surgery.

I just wish that there was a way to warn others about Dr. Fusco. I don't think he is a bad surgeon.....I just think that his fees are outrageous!! compared to other surgeons.

Duckie · 04-20-2008, 03:08 PM

Well, these posts will possibly show up when people google him!

Duckie · 04-20-2008, 03:10 PM

That's Dr. Mark Fusco right? He's a General Surgeon?

Native2u · 04-20-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckie

That's Dr. Mark Fusco right? He's a General Surgeon?

That's him.

gina0922 · 04-20-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Native2u

I attend Dr Jawad's seminar on March 4. I had to complete the 6 months....Dr supervised diet.....but I had prior notice (cause I contacted my insurance co after attending Fusco's seminar in Sept 2007) and they said that I had to do the 6 month Dr supervised, so, I started that in October 2007. I was done with my 6 month Dr diet at the end of Feb. I live in Merritt Island, so, I will have to drive 2 hours (one way) there & home. I also have a friend that lives in Rockledge that had (April 12) RNY surgery and Dr Jawad did hers too.....she gave him total props! MOF, she is getting her Gtube out tomorrow. I'm hoping to have my surgery in June. I turned in all of my paperwork last week Monday....they got it Tuesday. I can't wait!!

Out of curiosity, were there any other fees for Dr Jawad other than the $250 consultation fee? That was the only fee mentioned in the seminar. Can you estimate how much you will have to pay out of pocket? What ins do you carry? OMG so sorry for all the questions!
I have read so much about other people and how they went through the whole WLS process that I am totally confused as to what steps I have to take. Like what is it that my PCP has to do before I schedule my appt with Dr Jawad? I am almost certain my ins is going to pay. When I spoke to the lady at my ins comp (bcbsnj) she mentioned an authorization letter and a pre-determination letter...did you have to have them too? I was really hoping to find out 100% if my ins was going to do this before I handed over 250 of my hard earned non refundable dollars.

Native2u · 04-21-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gina0922

Out of curiosity, were there any other fees for Dr Jawad other than the $250 consultation fee? That was the only fee mentioned in the seminar. Can you estimate how much you will have to pay out of pocket? What ins do you carry? OMG so sorry for all the questions!
I have read so much about other people and how they went through the whole WLS process that I am totally confused as to what steps I have to take. Like what is it that my PCP has to do before I schedule my appt with Dr Jawad? I am almost certain my ins is going to pay. When I spoke to the lady at my ins comp (bcbsnj) she mentioned an authorization letter and a pre-determination letter...did you have to have them too? I was really hoping to find out 100% if my ins was going to do this before I handed over 250 of my hard earned non refundable dollars.

Out of curiosity, were there any other fees for Dr Jawad other than the $250 consultation fee? Not to my knowledge. I'm assuming that the next payment will be what my insurance won't pay for the surgery.

Can you estimate how much you will have to pay out of pocket? What ins do you carry?I have Aetna Insurance and I had to do a 6 months diet plan with my doctor (which I completed). I'm not sure about the out-of-pocket expense.....but I'm thinking around $3k, not sure though.

Like what is it that my PCP has to do before I schedule my appt with Dr Jawad? You need to have your Nut Eval done (paperwork in your hands), Psych Eval (paperwork in your hands), Primary DR eval & all paperwork including all of the records & notes that he/she has done on you....including your 6 month diet plan notes. Get all of these together, including a check for $250 and send them in to the office, all together. That is what I did last Monday. Then they will start the insurance process. Don't forget to make copies of everything you send them!!

When I spoke to the lady at my ins comp (bcbsnj) she mentioned an authorization letter and a pre-determination letter...did you have to have them too? Yes, this is what Dr Jawad's office does for you, after you have all of the above paperwork turned in.

I was really hoping to find out 100% if my ins was going to do this before I handed over 250 of my hard earned non refundable dollars. All you can do is ask you insurance company and ask them if they have it in writing...that if you are approved that your coverage will be ?$'s. I know that $250 is alot of money, but, its cheaper than if you were going to Fusco.

Godsblessedme · 04-21-2008, 11:52 AM

Valerie, i'm so glad you decided to go with another surgeon. sounds like you are ready now girl! when do you meet with him?

Native2u · 04-21-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

Valerie, i'm so glad you decided to go with another surgeon. sounds like you are ready now girl! when do you meet with him?

Not sure yet.....waiting for approval, then on to see him.

gina0922 · 04-21-2008, 06:36 PM

Valerie,

Thanks so much for all your help! I really appreciate that it. I spoke to a lady today with my ins. I explained to her that the Dr wanted $250 for his consultation and part of that money would cover getting approval from my ins comp. I further explained that $250 was a lot of money to spend not knowing if it would even cover the surgery. Also that my handbook does not make mention of any exclusions for WLS of any kind. She told me to send her the CPT codes for both surgeries (LBS and LapGBS) and she would email me back with any exclusions or inclusions as the case may be. Now regarding the $$$. My max copay will be $300. Which will be covered between Dr Jawad and the Nutritionist
and the Psych eval. Not to mention all the office visits @$30 bucks each. Max out of pocket is $3K after that ins pays 100%.