Looking for a new Dr. in Houston! Out-of-Network CRUSHED my hopes

[mona832 20]

Good Morning all!

So I just found out this morning that I would have to pay $4900 more just to have my surgery through Dr. Mirza in Houston because he is out-of-network for me. This is what I was afraid would happen. First off let me just say, that I am sad about this because I wanted my surgery though him. But I simply cannot pay a total that on top of what I already have to pay out of pocket. If it were a smaller amount then it may be doable.

I am convinced that there are some good quality doctors in this huge city! Is there anybody from Houston that had a VSG done. What's the name of your doctor??? And on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how would you rate them...honestly.

Thanks for any help.

[magtart 603]

I am in Houston and went to Dr. Ricardo Bonnor. He is affiliated with one of the BCBSTX

Centers of Excellence at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. He is great.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I guess I would research this the other direction ...

What bariatric surgeons are in-network for you? Get that list and come on here performing a search on each one and contact the individuals who have used them. I think this would be a lot quicker as you may get responses here for surgeons who are also out of network, which would continue your frustration.

Also, contact Dr. Mirza and see whether they are interested in being part of your network or what the options are. I know when my insurance changed a few years ago, my dentist wasn't part of my network. I asked him about it and he did what was needed to join it. I just had to delay my next appointment until they completed their work. He didn't want to exclude anyone he didn't reasonably have to and Dr. Mirza may feel the same way. Just ask.

[mona832 20]

I guess I would research this the other direction ...

What bariatric surgeons are in-network for you? Get that list and come on here performing a search on each one and contact the individuals who have used them. I think this would be a lot quicker as you may get responses here for surgeons who are also out of network, which would continue your frustration.

Also, contact Dr. Mirza and see whether they are interested in being part of your network or what the options are. I know when my insurance changed a few years ago, my dentist wasn't part of my network. I asked him about it and he did what was needed to join it. I just had to delay my next appointment until they completed their work. He didn't want to exclude anyone he didn't reasonably have to and Dr. Mirza may feel the same way. Just ask.

I tried that even before joining this forum. It's exhausting , Houston being such a large city, doesn't help that matter! But on here it is so much easier. I research each and every doc that someone tells me about. As for Dr. Mirza I asked them and they said not in the foreseeable future.