I've been deliberately staying out of the recent thread about Mexico vs. US, but this thought just came to me. Is there anyone on this board who had approval from insurance to go to a US doctor but chose to go to Mexico instead? I suspect the answer may help newbies understand the main reason why Mexico is often chosen, but now that I ask it I'm really curious myself. Please post your experience!

The silence is screaming at me. I guess I have my answer!

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim.

For me Cigna denied me twice and I could have used someone locally (and paid out of pocket). But the experience and price in Mexico totally surpassed what I could find here.

I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim.

I was banded in the US. Insurance definitely wouldn't cover an elective surgery out of the country.

I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

I'd love to hear from some. Anyone?

Unless I hear from anyone who was approved by insurance but chose Mexico due to surgeon/hospital issues, it seems to me the question of why people go to Mexico to get banded has been answered: it's financial.

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why. There is already a thread about why people go to Mexico. Sure it is partially financial, but not my only motivation. Honestly, when I first read about Drs. Sanchez and Rumbaut in Monterrey while I was still pursuing insurance coverage, I thought "wow, it's too bad I can't go to these guys, they are ten times more experienced than a local surgeon."

So yes, for me, money was a factor. Anyone who is self-pay will probably agree with that. But there is a doctor here in Denver who does the band for $9950 -- and I STILL opted to go to Mexico. That is the SAME price (with airfare) that my surgeon charges. I cared more about experience than location.

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why.

"Agenda" sounds a little sinsister. Clarification is more accurate. I am tired of watching people get beat up on other threads for saying they would not go to Mexico for surgery, and having everyone come back and say they went to Mexico because Mexico has the best surgeons. So I was asking for anyone who TRULY went to Mexico because of the quality of the surgeons. And I got my answer: people go to Mexico for financial reasons. They may be happy with the surgeons or hospitals after they've made that decision, but the ACTUAL reason for the decision is money, not quality.

gadgetlady I believe mysherrijo was approved by insurance but chose to selfpay and went to Mexico.

M

I have Aetna and could have waited for approval for surgery at another facility but A) Didn't want to wait and Was impressed by the surgerons experience in Mexico. I actually was approved for surgery but the Dr that I wanted to go to only operated at a hospital that did not renew it's contract with Aetna. "Clarification" I'm really not convinced of since you had your band done in the states what difference does it make? Are you considering getting another band? The actual reason is NOT money versus quality because I believe that I got better quality treatment and a higher quality surgeon than many people in the states. IMHO I do think there is some type of agenda here also, let it go everyone picks their own surgeon for whatever reason it may be. Good luck in your weight loss journey.

If my insurance covered the procedure I would not be going to Mexico (because I'd only be paying the copay for the surgery in the US), that's true, but if I wasn't positive about the experience and training of the doctor I've chosen, I wouldn't be going to Mexico either.

My insurance doesn't cover any wls, so I was self-pay. I'm blessed in the fact that I could afford to pay for surgery here, but I chose Dr. Ortiz in Mexico for all the right reasons. So, the answer to your question is, no, not everyone chooses a doctor from another country due to financial reasons. Sorry.

Never go to MX if you have a choice especially the traveling for aftercare. Best to stay near home.

08-30-2006, 10:49 AM

no.name vbmenu_register("postmenu_288972", true);

Texas Toast

Join Date: Dec 2005

Posts: 23

He is the best of the best's best and there is no better.

This is on the Robert Raumbart sp? thread.

He is in Mexico, You dont recommed mexico, so have you used him?

Do you have a band- there is no signature information.

Gonnabethin- I'm betting no.name is one of the banned users since she appears to be very negative and nasty in some posts.