Re: I need a li' info!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

I do have blue cross blue shield of massachusetts...and it is

covering my surgery completely. It seems like the insurance issue

varies greatly. There are a lot of people that it takes a long

time...if they even are approved at all. Then there are the lucky

ones like myself..I was approved within 2 1/2 weeks of submitting.

The surgeon that I use does these types of procedures very often and

he deals directly with the insurance company. I still have to pay

for my braces and extra parts they consider cosmetic..but the

surgery is usually the biggest of the price tags....

If you are deciding on a medical policy...just check into it and

make sure that it states it covers orthognathic surgery. Some plans

specifically state that they do not...which really makes things more

difficult. Just don't go to one surgeon...consult with a few...not

all oral surgeons are truley experienced with these kinds of cases.

These are just some of the things I was told..and see daily in the

office that I work in.

Either way...good luck...don't give up

Cheryl B.

> Hello All,

> Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

> Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

surgery

> so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

> spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

$12000

> and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

and

> the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

> also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in

a

> half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

please

> give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

policy

> and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

that

> I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> Thanks!!!

> Sherrie;-)

[Guest guest]

I do have blue cross blue shield of massachusetts...and it is

covering my surgery completely. It seems like the insurance issue

varies greatly. There are a lot of people that it takes a long

time...if they even are approved at all. Then there are the lucky

ones like myself..I was approved within 2 1/2 weeks of submitting.

The surgeon that I use does these types of procedures very often and

he deals directly with the insurance company. I still have to pay

for my braces and extra parts they consider cosmetic..but the

surgery is usually the biggest of the price tags....

If you are deciding on a medical policy...just check into it and

make sure that it states it covers orthognathic surgery. Some plans

specifically state that they do not...which really makes things more

difficult. Just don't go to one surgeon...consult with a few...not

all oral surgeons are truley experienced with these kinds of cases.

These are just some of the things I was told..and see daily in the

office that I work in.

Either way...good luck...don't give up

Cheryl B.

> Hello All,

> Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

> Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

surgery

> so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

> spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

$12000

> and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

and

> the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

> also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in

a

> half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

please

> give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

policy

> and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

that

> I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> Thanks!!!

> Sherrie;-)

[Guest guest]

I do have blue cross blue shield of massachusetts...and it is

covering my surgery completely. It seems like the insurance issue

varies greatly. There are a lot of people that it takes a long

time...if they even are approved at all. Then there are the lucky

ones like myself..I was approved within 2 1/2 weeks of submitting.

The surgeon that I use does these types of procedures very often and

he deals directly with the insurance company. I still have to pay

for my braces and extra parts they consider cosmetic..but the

surgery is usually the biggest of the price tags....

If you are deciding on a medical policy...just check into it and

make sure that it states it covers orthognathic surgery. Some plans

specifically state that they do not...which really makes things more

difficult. Just don't go to one surgeon...consult with a few...not

all oral surgeons are truley experienced with these kinds of cases.

These are just some of the things I was told..and see daily in the

office that I work in.

Either way...good luck...don't give up

Cheryl B.

> Hello All,

> Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

> Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

surgery

> so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

> spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

$12000

> and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

and

> the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

> also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in

a

> half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

please

> give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

policy

> and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

that

> I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> Thanks!!!

> Sherrie;-)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have Empire BC BS which is a ppo, however it covers 80% out of pocket.

but... once you shell out the first 1000 out of pocket it picks up 100%.

I have a different ins co for the dentist. it covered up to 2000 for my

daughters braces which she also wore for about 1 1/1 years (her surgery

date is 7/13/04). I also have to pay 5000 deposit bec the ins will not

cover her chin (considered cosmetic). good luck

I need a li' info!!!!!!!

Hello All,

Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I wanted

to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before surgery

so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated $12000

and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance, and

the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in a

half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone please

give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance I

can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this policy

and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy that

I can look into that may cover my surgery?

Thanks!!!

Sherrie;-)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have Empire BC BS which is a ppo, however it covers 80% out of pocket.

but... once you shell out the first 1000 out of pocket it picks up 100%.

I have a different ins co for the dentist. it covered up to 2000 for my

daughters braces which she also wore for about 1 1/1 years (her surgery

date is 7/13/04). I also have to pay 5000 deposit bec the ins will not

cover her chin (considered cosmetic). good luck

I need a li' info!!!!!!!

Hello All,

Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I wanted

to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before surgery

so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated $12000

and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance, and

the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in a

half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone please

give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance I

can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this policy

and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy that

I can look into that may cover my surgery?

Thanks!!!

Sherrie;-)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Forgot to mention that I'm a full-time student who is unemployed. The

Dr.(OS) said that if I was working for a major company or something I

would be covered w/o being worried about the pre-existing factor.

Since I don't have a job at all, that didn't help me any. I'm getting

a li' frustrated now because I don't know what to do. Don't know

whether to schedule a consultation w/ the orthro now or look into

getting some insurance 1st. I guess having insurance before I go to

the orthro really wouldn't matter being that 9/10 the policy won't

cover braces. And maybe the orthro can help me find a policy to cover

the surgery. My thoughts are since I'll be in braces (according to

OS) about 9-12 months:

+ Go to Orthro get an estimate on braces and how long I'll be in them

+ Find a policy that will cover the surgery and find out the waiting

period for pre-existing problems (apply)

+ Get the braces put on at the right time so the waiting period ends

and surgery begins around the same time.

This sounds and looks good to me. I just have to find an insurance

that will cover the surgery. I'm not worried about the braces being

covered. We'll see how it all works out.

Sherrie;-)

> Hi,

>

> I have Empire BC BS which is a ppo, however it covers 80% out of

pocket.

> but... once you shell out the first 1000 out of pocket it picks up

100%.

> I have a different ins co for the dentist. it covered up to 2000

for my

> daughters braces which she also wore for about 1 1/1 years (her

surgery

> date is 7/13/04). I also have to pay 5000 deposit bec the ins will

not

> cover her chin (considered cosmetic). good luck

>

>

> I need a li' info!!!!!!!

>

>

> Hello All,

> Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I wanted

> to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

> Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

surgery

> so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

> spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

$12000

> and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

and

> the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

> also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in

a

> half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

please

> give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance I

> can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

policy

> and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

that

> I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> Thanks!!!

> Sherrie;-)

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sherri,

Regarding your question about insurance, I had Blue Cross Blue Shield

insurance under my last employer and it did NOT cover this surgery.

However, I'm sure Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans are different

depending on the company and what type of plan the employer signs up

for. My current employer is a little larger (200-some employees) and

has Preffered One (in Minnesota). They covered the surgery 80/20,

with $1,000 out of pocket maximum. Hope this helps. Unfortunately, I

don't think you'll find many who'll cover orthodontics as an adult--

silly, but it's true.

> > Hi,

> >

> > I have Empire BC BS which is a ppo, however it covers 80% out of

> pocket.

> > but... once you shell out the first 1000 out of pocket it picks

up

> 100%.

> > I have a different ins co for the dentist. it covered up to 2000

> for my

> > daughters braces which she also wore for about 1 1/1 years (her

> surgery

> > date is 7/13/04). I also have to pay 5000 deposit bec the ins

will

> not

> > cover her chin (considered cosmetic). good luck

> >

> >

> > I need a li' info!!!!!!!

> >

> >

> > Hello All,

> > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

list).

> > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> surgery

> > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window.

We

> > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> $12000

> > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

> and

> > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-(

He

> > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year

in

> a

> > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> please

> > give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> policy

> > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

> that

> > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > Thanks!!!

> > Sherrie;-)

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> Hello All,

> Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I wanted

> to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a list).

> Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

surgery

> so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window. We

> spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

$12000

> and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

and

> the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-( He

> also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year in

a

> half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

please

> give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance I

> can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

policy

> and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

that

> I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> Thanks!!!

> Sherrie;-)

Sherrie

When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon told

about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the same

procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said it

was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday I

promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred from

my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right before

surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my wires the

first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

already see that it is going to look great once the swelling goes

down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may want to

shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment. Just

make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good about

him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are usually

right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is excellent.

Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either way.

[Guest guest]

Thanks !

I live in Alabama. Long way from NYC. It's good to know that all OS

don't expect entire payment upfront. Lets pray that I can find one!!!

Thanks again.

Sherrie;-)

> > Hello All,

> > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

list).

> > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> surgery

> > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window.

We

> > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> $12000

> > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

> and

> > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-(

He

> > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year

in

> a

> > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> please

> > give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> policy

> > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

> that

> > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > Thanks!!!

> > Sherrie;-)

> Sherrie

> When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon told

> about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the same

> procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

> laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said it

> was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday I

> promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

> charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred from

> my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right

before

> surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my wires

the

> first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

> already see that it is going to look great once the swelling goes

> down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may want

to

> shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment.

Just

> make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good about

> him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are usually

> right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is excellent.

> Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either way.

>

[Guest guest]

OK. Now I can help you a bit with specifics.

At least when I had the surgery, in June 2002, BC/BS of Alabama,

which I have through my employer, covered all of the surgery, but

only $1,000 or so of the braces. The braces came under DENTAL, with a

lifetime cap of $1,000 or $1,200, or whatever it was. The braces

actually were about $5,600.

My major MEDICAL insurance with BC.BS covered the surgery as repair

of a skeletal deformity. Are you in the northern or southern part of

the state? I'm way down near Mobile. If you're near Birmingham, you

might check the dental school there. If you're near enough to Emory,

you might also check there...

If you want suggestions for down here, let me know. My docs were not

inexpensive, but they were most excellent, and well worth what they

charged me and BC/BS. My surgeon, in particular, is very

knowledgeable about handling insurance procedures, filed mine for me,

and got approval on the first request for certification.

And my apologies if you're the person from Alabama I'd messaged

earlier, the one who has some problems about coming to Mobile. I

don't think you are, though.

best,

Cammie

> Thanks !

> I live in Alabama. Long way from NYC. It's good to know that all OS

> don't expect entire payment upfront. Lets pray that I can find

one!!!

> Thanks again.

> Sherrie;-)

>

>

[Guest guest]

And I believe my ortho does indeed have payment plans available. I

dunno about the hospitals and the surgeons -- when they found out

what kind of insurance I had, they knew it would be covered...

> > > Hello All,

> > > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

> wanted

> > > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

> list).

> > > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> > surgery

> > > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window.

> We

> > > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> > $12000

> > > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any

insurance,

> > and

> > > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-(

> He

> > > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year

> in

> > a

> > > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> > please

> > > give me advice about some type of health care? The only

insurance

> I

> > > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> > policy

> > > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

> > that

> > > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > > Thanks!!!

> > > Sherrie;-)

> > Sherrie

> > When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon

told

> > about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the

same

> > procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

> > laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said

it

> > was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday

I

> > promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

> > charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred

from

> > my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right

> before

> > surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my wires

> the

> > first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

> > already see that it is going to look great once the swelling goes

> > down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may want

> to

> > shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment.

> Just

> > make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good

about

> > him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are usually

> > right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is

excellent.

> > Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either

way.

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Cammie,

I'm from Selma. I would be very greatful if u'd give me some

suggestions about Docs in Mobile. Are ur Orthro and OS both located

in Mobile? Can u please tell me how much ur consultations were for

Orthro and OS? Paid $170 at my consultation yesterday (OS). Just for

x-rays and him to tell me my prob is fixable. Do u know how long (w/

BCBS of AL) I would have to wait for my surgery to be covered (pre-

existing)? My mom's suggestion is that I wait until I'm insured by an

employer to get the surgery done because pre-existing probs aren't a

factor. I want to have it done before I start my career though.

Thanks for ur reply, and wish me luck!!!

Sherrie.

> > Thanks !

> > I live in Alabama. Long way from NYC. It's good to know that all

OS

> > don't expect entire payment upfront. Lets pray that I can find

> one!!!

> > Thanks again.

> > Sherrie;-)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

No charge for consultation with Dr. S., the ortho, who almost

immediately said, you need lower jaw surgery.

Paid something on the order of $115, I think, for the consult with

Dr. Z., the surgeon, which was lengthy.

There were fees on the order of $300 for records, photos, x-rays,

etc., though, with the ortho, before we started. Just ask, and

they'll tell you when they expect what... I think I put down about

$800 to have the appliances installed.

If I remember right...

Of course I wish you luck. And yes, employers' policies do seem to be

better than individuals'. I think those for individuals are intended

to cover major, disastrous troubles, and honestly, they do a great

and difficult job of it. The problem is, will you find a job that

offers these benefits. If so, you might indeed want to wait... Just

my thought. But you could talk with either of these docs about it.

They're both swuft, and aware of the costs..

C.

> Hi Cammie,

> I'm from Selma. I would be very greatful if u'd give me some

> suggestions about Docs in Mobile. Are ur Orthro and OS both located

> in Mobile? Can u please tell me how much ur consultations were for

> Orthro and OS? Paid $170 at my consultation yesterday (OS). Just

for

> x-rays and him to tell me my prob is fixable. Do u know how long

(w/

> BCBS of AL) I would have to wait for my surgery to be covered (pre-

> existing)? My mom's suggestion is that I wait until I'm insured by

an

> employer to get the surgery done because pre-existing probs aren't

a

> factor. I want to have it done before I start my career though.

> Thanks for ur reply, and wish me luck!!!

> Sherrie.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

No charge for consultation with Dr. S., the ortho, who almost

immediately said, you need lower jaw surgery.

Paid something on the order of $115, I think, for the consult with

Dr. Z., the surgeon, which was lengthy.

There were fees on the order of $300 for records, photos, x-rays,

etc., though, with the ortho, before we started. Just ask, and

they'll tell you when they expect what... I think I put down about

$800 to have the appliances installed.

If I remember right...

Of course I wish you luck. And yes, employers' policies do seem to be

better than individuals'. I think those for individuals are intended

to cover major, disastrous troubles, and honestly, they do a great

and difficult job of it. The problem is, will you find a job that

offers these benefits. If so, you might indeed want to wait... Just

my thought. But you could talk with either of these docs about it.

They're both swuft, and aware of the costs..

C.

> Hi Cammie,

> I'm from Selma. I would be very greatful if u'd give me some

> suggestions about Docs in Mobile. Are ur Orthro and OS both located

> in Mobile? Can u please tell me how much ur consultations were for

> Orthro and OS? Paid $170 at my consultation yesterday (OS). Just

for

> x-rays and him to tell me my prob is fixable. Do u know how long

(w/

> BCBS of AL) I would have to wait for my surgery to be covered (pre-

> existing)? My mom's suggestion is that I wait until I'm insured by

an

> employer to get the surgery done because pre-existing probs aren't

a

> factor. I want to have it done before I start my career though.

> Thanks for ur reply, and wish me luck!!!

> Sherrie.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

No charge for consultation with Dr. S., the ortho, who almost

immediately said, you need lower jaw surgery.

Paid something on the order of $115, I think, for the consult with

Dr. Z., the surgeon, which was lengthy.

There were fees on the order of $300 for records, photos, x-rays,

etc., though, with the ortho, before we started. Just ask, and

they'll tell you when they expect what... I think I put down about

$800 to have the appliances installed.

If I remember right...

Of course I wish you luck. And yes, employers' policies do seem to be

better than individuals'. I think those for individuals are intended

to cover major, disastrous troubles, and honestly, they do a great

and difficult job of it. The problem is, will you find a job that

offers these benefits. If so, you might indeed want to wait... Just

my thought. But you could talk with either of these docs about it.

They're both swuft, and aware of the costs..

C.

> Hi Cammie,

> I'm from Selma. I would be very greatful if u'd give me some

> suggestions about Docs in Mobile. Are ur Orthro and OS both located

> in Mobile? Can u please tell me how much ur consultations were for

> Orthro and OS? Paid $170 at my consultation yesterday (OS). Just

for

> x-rays and him to tell me my prob is fixable. Do u know how long

(w/

> BCBS of AL) I would have to wait for my surgery to be covered (pre-

> existing)? My mom's suggestion is that I wait until I'm insured by

an

> employer to get the surgery done because pre-existing probs aren't

a

> factor. I want to have it done before I start my career though.

> Thanks for ur reply, and wish me luck!!!

> Sherrie.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry and everyone out there,

I have an underbite and I've gone through the initial stages of

getting braces (now 2 months with my braces on). I was refered to a

surgeon by my orthodontics to an oral surgeon who had done an average

of 10 - 12 a year surgeries in regards to jaw surgery. Is that good?

He was skeptical to do the upper jaw even though my orthodontics says

that I might need to get my upper jaw pushed out a little since it

looks pretty flat up there. The surgeon said that getting upper jaw

involves more and recovering is longer. He estimated that for just

the lower jaw it would cost around 10 to 15 thousand just for his

fees and to get both would be 15 - 20's thousand. I'm located in NYC

and I have no idea if I should stay with this surgeon even though my

orthodontcs say that he's really good. Is there anyone out there in

the NYC area that can refer me to a reputable surgeon that can do

upper and lower jaw? What should I look for in search of a surgeon?

Is his fees reasonable?

Any input would be great!

Syndee

> > Hello All,

> > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

wanted

> > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

list).

> > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> surgery

> > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window.

We

> > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> $12000

> > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any insurance,

> and

> > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-(

He

> > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year

in

> a

> > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> please

> > give me advice about some type of health care? The only insurance

I

> > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> policy

> > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

> that

> > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > Thanks!!!

> > Sherrie;-)

> Sherrie

> When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon told

> about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the same

> procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

> laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said it

> was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday I

> promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

> charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred from

> my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right

before

> surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my wires

the

> first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

> already see that it is going to look great once the swelling goes

> down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may want

to

> shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment.

Just

> make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good about

> him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are usually

> right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is excellent.

> Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either way.

>

[Guest guest]

The second surgeon I saw said he averages probably more than that a

month, maybe comes close to that in one week I believe.

Now did he mean 10-12 cases 'like yours' it seems odd for a surgeon

only to do one a month. I would look for someone with more

experience, remember that little nerve = trust us the better the

skill hopefully the less nerve damage. 20k not quite sure but he

might be asking you to pay more cause he doesn't like to do them.

What is his practice mainly ? wisdom teeth and implants?

And from my experience if the molds say both do it all. I only had

my lower done - I was 2 months post baby delivery...and now in

ayear I'll get my uppers done....I wish I had not gone conservative

it might all be over now...instead of the 6 year jaw relationship.

If you are looking to save some money maybe look to out of the city?

Shiloh

> > > Hello All,

> > > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

> wanted

> > > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

> list).

> > > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> > surgery

> > > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the

window.

> We

> > > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> > $12000

> > > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any

insurance,

> > and

> > > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-

(

> He

> > > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a

year

> in

> > a

> > > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> > please

> > > give me advice about some type of health care? The only

insurance

> I

> > > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> > policy

> > > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any

policy

> > that

> > > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > > Thanks!!!

> > > Sherrie;-)

> > Sherrie

> > When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon

told

> > about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the

same

> > procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

> > laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said

it

> > was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday

I

> > promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

> > charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred

from

> > my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right

> before

> > surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my

wires

> the

> > first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

> > already see that it is going to look great once the swelling

goes

> > down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may

want

> to

> > shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment.

> Just

> > make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good

about

> > him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are

usually

> > right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is

excellent.

> > Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either

way.

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Cammie,

Thanks for ur reply and suggestions. My dad said that I should apply

for the BCBS of AL before I take anymore steps. So I guess I'll do

that. With this policy do u get to choose ur own docs or do u have to

go to certain ones? Thanks again!!!

Sherrie.

> > Hi Cammie,

> > I'm from Selma. I would be very greatful if u'd give me some

> > suggestions about Docs in Mobile. Are ur Orthro and OS both

located

> > in Mobile? Can u please tell me how much ur consultations were

for

> > Orthro and OS? Paid $170 at my consultation yesterday (OS). Just

> for

> > x-rays and him to tell me my prob is fixable. Do u know how long

> (w/

> > BCBS of AL) I would have to wait for my surgery to be covered

(pre-

> > existing)? My mom's suggestion is that I wait until I'm insured

by

> an

> > employer to get the surgery done because pre-existing probs

aren't

> a

> > factor. I want to have it done before I start my career though.

> > Thanks for ur reply, and wish me luck!!!

> > Sherrie.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Syndee,

10-12 surgeries a year is not many. Surgeon told me that I'd be

looking at $17-20,000 for the entire process (braces and surgery),but

I'm in Alabama. I don't know if the prices depend on location or not

though. If ur worried about the OS not wanting to do the upper, I

think u should get as many opinion as u need until ur satisfied w/

the OS. I haven't been to an Orthro yet. Waiting to get some

insurance. Hope I helped.

Sherrie;-)

> > > Hello All,

> > > Went in for my consultation today. It didn't last as long as I

> > > thought it would. The Dr. looked at my x-rays and told me that

> > > everything was fixable. I asked questions about the things I

> wanted

> > > to know. Left somethings out by mistake (should have made a

> list).

> > > Found out I would need to wear braces for 9-12 months before

> > surgery

> > > so getting everything over by this summer is out of the window.

> We

> > > spent most of the time discussing prices. Surgery an estimated

> > $12000

> > > and braces $4-5000. Bad thing is that I don't have any

insurance,

> > and

> > > the Dr. told me that the surgery has to be paid for upfront :-(

> He

> > > also told me that I'd most likely have to wait for about a year

> in

> > a

> > > half before any insurance would cover the surgery. Can someone

> > please

> > > give me advice about some type of health care? The only

insurance

> I

> > > can think of is Blue Cross Blue Shields. Does anyone have this

> > policy

> > > and it covered ur surgery? Can someone tell me about any policy

> > that

> > > I can look into that may cover my surgery?

> > > Thanks!!!

> > > Sherrie;-)

> > Sherrie

> > When I was getting my consultation for surgery my oral surgeon

told

> > about one insurance company that covered the whole cost of the

same

> > procedure as mine which was the lower jaw being moved foward and

> > laterally. I believe he said they covered 9,000. I think he said

it

> > was Oxford Insurance but Im not sure. I will see him on Thursday

I

> > promise I will ask and get back to you. My oral surgeon normally

> > charges 12,000. He was willing to except 7,000 plus 18 hundred

from

> > my insurance company. He let me pay it out. I paid 3,500 right

> before

> > surgery and I am going to pay him 3,500 when it take out my wires

> the

> > first week in March. My oral surgeon did an excellent job. I can

> > already see that it is going to look great once the swelling goes

> > down. I knew before hand he had a superb reputation. You may want

> to

> > shop around for a Dr who is a little more liberal about payment.

> Just

> > make sure the Dr. has an excellent reputation, you feel good

about

> > him and so does your ortho. Trust your instincts they are usually

> > right. If you live in NYC vincinty I can tell you who is

excellent.

> > Hope that helps I get back to shortly and let you know either

way.

> >

[Guest guest]

The difference is that the preferred care providers (and my surgeon

and his partners are pcps) have agreed with the BC/BS folks to take

what BC/BS will pay them. I paid a deductible, if I remember right,

and then they covered the rest of it.

My ortho was not an in-network provider. There was one on the list,

but I chose to pay more to see the doc I saw. And he did not do x-

rays at that first, free consult, although he did them later.

Beware, though; not all blue cross policies are created equal, as

you've noted... Mine comes through my employer, and is quite a good

policy, I think. And I believe that if you go on and get an

individual policy that covers ortho (that would be dental) there's

usually a cap of $1,000 or $1,250 or something on that order. The

surgery, for me anyhow, was covered by MEDICAL, as repair of a

skeletal deformity.

The amount of time the ortho takes before surgery is a highly

variable thing, depending on what you need to have done, how long it

takes your teeth to move, etc., etc.

Good luck. If you wanna know more, ask away.

C.

[Guest guest]

Nope. 10-12 surgeries a year is not a lot at all. My guy had done

1,700 before he got to me, and was doing, best I could tell, at least

three a week, at one hospital, at that point.

I think prices do vary with location. California and New York are, I

think, more expensive than Alabama, e.g. ;~)

I do think you want a surgeon you can be comfortable trusting to make

the call on how much surgery to do. Often that changes, too, as you

go through the preparation...

Cammie

> > Hi Sherry and everyone out there,

> >

> > I have an underbite and I've gone through the initial stages of

> > getting braces (now 2 months with my braces on). I was refered to

a

> > surgeon by my orthodontics to an oral surgeon who had done an

> average

> > of 10 - 12 a year surgeries in regards to jaw surgery. Is that

> good?

> > He was skeptical to do the upper jaw even though my orthodontics

> says

> > that I might need to get my upper jaw pushed out a little since

it

> > looks pretty flat up there. The surgeon said that getting upper

jaw

> > involves more and recovering is longer. He estimated that for

just

> > the lower jaw it would cost around 10 to 15 thousand just for his

> > fees and to get both would be 15 - 20's thousand. I'm located in

> NYC

> > and I have no idea if I should stay with this surgeon even though

> my

> > orthodontcs say that he's really good. Is there anyone out there

in

> > the NYC area that can refer me to a reputable surgeon that can do

> > upper and lower jaw? What should I look for in search of a

surgeon?

> > Is his fees reasonable?

> >

> > Any input would be great!

> >

> > Syndee

> >

[Guest guest]

Ceast,

Where are you located? I'm in Mississippi, and have BC/BS, so I was hoping...

Ali

ceast36532 no_reply > wrote:

The difference is that the preferred care providers (and my surgeon

and his partners are pcps) have agreed with the BC/BS folks to take

what BC/BS will pay them. I paid a deductible, if I remember right,

and then they covered the rest of it.

My ortho was not an in-network provider. There was one on the list,

but I chose to pay more to see the doc I saw. And he did not do x-

rays at that first, free consult, although he did them later.

Beware, though; not all blue cross policies are created equal, as

you've noted... Mine comes through my employer, and is quite a good

policy, I think. And I believe that if you go on and get an

individual policy that covers ortho (that would be dental) there's

usually a cap of $1,000 or $1,250 or something on that order. The

surgery, for me anyhow, was covered by MEDICAL, as repair of a

skeletal deformity.

The amount of time the ortho takes before surgery is a highly

variable thing, depending on what you need to have done, how long it

takes your teeth to move, etc., etc.

Good luck. If you wanna know more, ask away.

C.

---------------------------------