Re: WHAT? DR. Rabkin not accepting insurence??? GRRRRRR!!!

[Guest guest]

, I don't know all the details, but I think that what they're going to

do is require the full fee paid up front, and then they will submit it to

insurance for you and reimburse whatever amount the insurance pays. Really

sucky. Please do let us know what other details you find out!

M.

---

in Fremont, CA, age 38

Starting weight 299, now 172

Starting BMI 49.7, now 28.6

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10-19-99

http://www.duodenalswitch.com

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

[Guest guest]

Ummmm Hi,

I am responding to my own post!! HAHAHA!! Well... I have come back a little

calmer. I didn't want to offend anyone by my out burst directed at Dr.

Rabkin..I am just a little ticked off. My husband worked really hard trying

to find a job that has Healthnet. I understand why a Doc. wouldn't want to

go thru the insurence process. But, that's one of the reason's why I didn't

feel so bad about the $3,000 fee. That fee would help pay for some of the

headache. I don't know where people can come up with that kind of money.

*SIGH*. Does anyone know how long it takes for insurence companies to

reimburse? Anyway, like I said.. I didn't mean to spout in anger.

>

>He is only accepting people who can pay totally upfront? If this is the

>case

>I will not be able to go to him either. So we are in the same boat. If this

>is really true.. all his talk about helping people who are obese is a bunch

>of crock. If this is the case I wouldn't go to him EVEN if I could pay up

>front. I am deeply upset. If someone else can confirm this I would

>appriciate it. I plan to call tomorrow myself.

>Take care,

>

>

>

> >From: ellemaecollins@...

> >Hi gang: I got a call from in Dr. Rabkins office today

> >informing me they would not be able to " work " with me on his fee. The

> >fee is $11,078 and is payable upfront. I have been told by

> >and that Dr. Rabkin will not be accepting ANY insurance after

> >the first of the year. That will make it impossible for lots of f

> >olks. Needless to say I'm pretty bummed out tonight.

> > Warmest Wishes, Saundra

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>_______________________________________________________________________________\

______

>Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :

>http://explorer.msn.com

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

_____

Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

,

When you find out what's going on could you please post it on here. I

have and appt. with Dr. Rabkin on Dec. 21st and the consultation is 240

dollars. I'm not keeping my appt. if he isn't taking insurance. Seems

like they would have said something when I called. I feel like I'm

getting cheated out of 240 dollars if that's the case. I hope it's just

a misunderstanding. Grrrrr....I might have to resort to RNY )-:

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

Damn Skippy! You got that right !!!!!

[Guest guest]

Magruder <mmagrude@p...> wrote:

> , I don't know all the details, but I think that what they're

going to

> do is require the full fee paid up front, and then they will submit

it to

> insurance for you and reimburse whatever amount the insurance pays.

Really

> sucky. Please do let us know what other details you find out!

>

> M.

Well I wonder if Walter is still monitoring this list. Is this the

same Doc who was charging the $3,000 additional fee for his surgery?

I know most insurance companies would have found that in violation of

their contracts so perhaps that had something to do with it. It is

really really a sad thing though to be denied this surgery that is

life saving due to money. Perhaps he's made enough already. I

bet this is hard for you since you are such a supporter of him. My

thoughts are with all who this will effect in California. I hope and

pray it is a mistake or he changes his mind. It's really sad.

Jeannie

[Guest guest]

> Well I wonder if Walter is still monitoring this list. Is this the

> same Doc who was charging the $3,000 additional fee for his surgery?

> I know most insurance companies would have found that in violation of

> their contracts so perhaps that had something to do with it. It is

> really really a sad thing though to be denied this surgery that is

> life saving due to money. Perhaps he's made enough already. I

> bet this is hard for you since you are such a supporter of him. My

> thoughts are with all who this will effect in California. I hope and

> pray it is a mistake or he changes his mind. It's really sad.

Jeannie, it's so sweet of you to think of how this affects me! Yes, I am

somewhat torn about the whole thing. I haven't spoken at length with anyone

in Rabkin's office about any of this, so I can't speak with any authority on

anything; I can only express my own feelings that it's a big bummer. I do

know that all the DS surgeons are extremely busy these days. I also know

that Dr. Rabkin has been running himself ragged for many years, and he has

forgiven or reduced fees for many, many people over the years. I still think

he cares a lot for his patients. Maybe he's just reached a point where he's

through dealing with all the insurance headaches, and if that slows down his

business, so be it. I don't know. It's pure speculation on my part. I'm

happy to be a patient of Rabkin/Jossart/Delphine, and I still think their

program is great. If what we're hearing is true, fewer people will be able

to avail themselves of this program, which is a shame. On the up side, there

are other very good options that aren't as pricey. If I were just starting

out now, I'd be looking closer at alternatives.

M.

---

in Fremont, CA, age 38

Starting weight 299, now 172

Starting BMI 49.7, now 28.6

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10-19-99

http://www.duodenalswitch.com

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

[Guest guest]

I don't know why everyone is so shocked. I mean, too many WLSer's sound

like cult members when they talk about their surgeons. But we need to stay

grounded and realize that these people aren't philantropists, they aren't

our personal saviors, and they aren't doing WLS out of the kindness of

their hearts. They are in it for the money and expect to get paid

accordingly. And, yes, that means your surgeon too! The last time I checked

there weren't ANY surgeons donating their skills and time for free to help

us out, not even to those that couldn't afford it. They are medical

professionals and should be treated accordingly, no less and NO MORE.

I'm not saying it's right. If it were up to me, we would have national

health care and everyone who needed the surgery could get it. But the way

it is, we shouldn't be under any delusions that these surgeons are gods of

charity and mercy.

-

--

Rousey

[Guest guest]

,

I am shocked. I am shocked because I am trying to do it the way THEY said

and THEY are changing the rules. Also I just spent a great deal of time

trying to get a hold of them about a insurence question and when I finally

pinned them down they didn't mention that you had to be from a certain

medical group nor did they mention any thing about paying upfront. May I

point out that this was on Friday. I suppose somethig could have happened

since Friday and now.I asked them specific questions about who they are

accepting and who they are not. Saundra wasn't told either. She went in

expecting something because she was told it was to be true. Now it's

not..That is shocking.

>>I don't know why everyone is so shocked.

>>>I mean, too many WLSer's sound

like cult members when they talk about their surgeons.

I understand what you are saying here. But there are many of us who feel

that these doctors have given them a totally new life. They feel deeply &

passionate about them. For some this surgery has touched every aspect of

they're lives. A surgeon will probably never fully understand just what this

surgery can do for someone. Even tho we on this list can related to many

things..what this does for someone is very individual. For some it is more

emotional than others. I personally don't care who the surgeon is as long as

they can fulfill my requisites of a good surgeon. Be it Dr.Rabkin or

Dr.Anthone..or whoever. I think you need to be aware that there are many who

have made a deep connection with they're doctors.For them they are a life

saver. I feel that the term " cult members " is a bit harsh and in the

negative. Just my opinion tho.

I do not expect anyone to donate they're time or skills for free.

Nor do I see them as gods of chairity and mercy. I see them as what they

are. They are providing a service to people. I understand that.I don't

demand that they have to do my surgery. What I do demand is if I am going to

use them as a surgeon and pay a fee.. I expect quality care at the frontdesk

too.I get the distict feeling that after reading people's posts and what I

have experieced myself that they feel they can do whatever they want to us

because WE NEED THEM.. Well... they need us too.If they are medical

professionals and want to be treated accordingly than they need to treat us

as with dignity and care and that includes the help they hire to manage

they're " buisness " .

ANY surgeons donating their skills and time for free to help

>us out, not even to those that couldn't afford it. They are medical

>professionals and should be treated accordingly, no less and NO MORE.

>

>we shouldn't be under any delusions that these surgeons are gods of

>charity and mercy.

>

>-

>

>--

>

> Rousey

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

_____

Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com