Hi,

I have been shopping doctors and had made up my mind to use Dr. Spivak in Houston,however, I have just about changed my mind. I liked him enough, however they want me to pay his foreign assistant $500 up front. I have 2 insurance policies and feel I should not have to do that. I have a strong feeling that the insurance will not pay it and that is why they want it up front. Besides, I am single and don't have that kind of extra money. The paperwork Spivak hands out says this doctor is licensed by the Texas State board of medicals examiners as a surgical assistant. Someone from Spivaks office told me this Dr. Beltran was not licensed to practice in America. Heck, if two people have to work on me for a lap band, I would prefer two licensed doctors. I am guessing this is how Spivak puts more money in his pocket, which is ok, if that is what you want for your surgeons.

I sure would like to hear from some others who have used Spivak (Like New Hope) or other's whose doctor uses a surgical assistant.If you have a good suggestion for a doctor referral I'd love to hear from you right away, please, please, please. One of my insurance policies ends 12-31 so I am in a big rush to get this done fast.

I have United Healthcare and Aetna and may have Cigna as of Jan 1. If anyone wants to email me that would be great too. My email address is porcelainhouse@aol.com. Thanks to one or all. I appreciate it very much.

FatNHappy

Yes, I paid $500 upfront to Dr. Beltran. I also paid $250 co-pay for the hospital. With all co-pays for my many pretests, I figure I was out $1000. Compared to others, that's a steal! I have a second insurance policy also, but they don't cover the Band. I really don't think Dr. Spivak is making anything off of Dr. Beltran. Why don't you go in and talk w/ him about your ?? He's very accomodating. (Hmmm...Hadn't heard about Dr. Beltran not being licensed either. It's a shame to see rumors started without being confirmed first.) It is definitely a 2 surgeon job! I read a copy of my surgical report, there were numerous tools flashing right and left! I had an excellent surgeon, regained my health, excellent aftercare and staff, and figure I definitely came out a "winner" in this deal! Best of luck to you on whatever decision you make!

Dr. S is my doc too and I not only paid the 500.00 to his assistant but 6000.00 to Dr.S and that dos'nt include all the other fees I paid for the anistesiologist, hospital, ect. all amounting to over 12,000. When you want something bad enough you make a way. I was happy to use Spivac not only for his caring nature but his expertise AND he is here in the USA so I have guaranteed after care unlike Mexico surgeons.

I wish I only had to pay 500.00 outof pocket!!

Sounds like a deal to me. You are fortunate to have your insurance cover this procedure where as several and I mean several of us here did not have that luxury..I'm sure all of them would say too that 500 is nothing. Pay the 500, stay with this Dr. he is well liked, experienced and caring towards his patients... Is the only reason you are changing is beacause of the 500? If so, that is ridiculous to me!

my well cast me $11000 :huytsao

Lisa Green is a self-pay, not insurance pay.

Fatnhappy (sorry, wish I had a better name to use here), do you know for a fact that you qualify for your insurance to approve this? Do you have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, etc.)? A family history of health problems? Documented weight loss history? I had a slue of them and they've been drastically reduced (saving me $$ in RXs).

Most selfpays do not have pre-existing health problems and/or a high enough BMI to qualify for insurance to pay (if their plan even covers Lapband weight loss surgery.)

Best of luck to you!

Spoke w/ Shirley (Dr. Spivak's office manager) today at 713-520-8900. Dr. Beltran got his medical degree in Mexico. He is licensed as a "Physician's Assistant" in the State of Texas. He asks the patient to pay $500 upfront and then files the paperwork, because insurance is taking over six months to pay him. Hope this clarifies any false rumors. Good luck!

My insurance would only pay for gastric bypass soo I up the 10,000 and flew away to MX... I do wish I had a closer dr... but I have had no problems. I would of had a $5 co pay if I had gone through Kasier

Hi!

My insurance should pay for the lap-band, but I will still have to pay $400.00 up front and out of pocket (for psy. consult and food class) plus my surgical co-pay of $250.00 and there will be at least two Dr. doing the surgery. Dr.Williams will be in charge and the others will assist (this will be done at a teaching hospital, so lots of students will watch). So money up front and two Dr. is not out of norm.

Also please contact your insurance companies and check to see what they cover. When I called Keystone in the start of Oct. they said no, but as of Nov. 1 they will cover the lap band. Good luck in your WLS journey!

-Nora

I will be my Doc's first Adj Band, (with proctor, Dr. Jeffrey Allen), and I didn't get a price break, $15,750.00 outta pocket, of course, that's hospital. doctor, and fills and follow up for a year. I wonder if that would be considered the same thing as a years warranty????

PS...Mamsi wouldn't even consider, #1 they don't have provisions for wls in their contracts and they consider the band experimental since it's reversible....FYI

FatNHappy - If you are so unhappy with this doctor's office right now, I would suggest you run, not walk to the next one on your list. Every doctor has his own policy, and if you are not happy up front, you certainly aren't going to be happy after either. Their are so many lapband doctors out there, I would research a few more and go and visit them and don't settle until you are happy with the one you choose.

Good Luck!