melsamei's Cancer Blog
August 3, 2007
| Surgery and Insurance | Views: 429 |
August 3, 2007
To anyone reading, the only good part about a mastectomy is meeting a plastic surgeon and billing the insurance company for the work. I had a bilateral mastectomy, May 16, 2007. For anyone facing the decision of a mastectomy, I would give serious consideration to bilateral. I am happy with my decision. I was blessed to have wonderful surgeons and so far I am pleased with the progress on the expansion reconstruction. At this time, I only have 4 more expansions to be completed expanded and then I am on to surgery for the final cosmetically perfect implant. I am really excited to the final result. I had never considered any type of cosmetic surgery until I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, everything looks good, Botox, tummy tuck, facelift, etc.
Also, I chose the bilateral when doctors recommended a lumpectomy with radiation. I had to fight with the hospital administration and my insurance company to have the surgery scheduled and covered. Fortunately, my mother (who quit her job and came to stay with me for 6 months) has been a health insurance auditor for over 30 years. She was definitely an asset for getting claims paid. I was amazed at the incorrect billings from the hospital. If she did not look over my bills, I would have overpaid. So many times, the hospital did not bill the insurance company with the correct codes and my claims were denied. Fortunately, my mom was able to see the mistakes. It was very time consuming because she had to contact the hospital, argue with their personnel about the coding and demand them to rebill the insurance company correctly. Not an easy task.
More ramblings later…
09.13.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
That is a unreal! I am glad your Mom was there to help you! Every insurance company needs someone like her (to help the insured). Just thinking of the wasted money (paying salaried to those who cannot do they job right) and thinking of the people who were denied treatment that they need and had coverage for just because someone isn’t doing their job right makes me really, really mad! I am happy your doing well. Keep up the good work! Sue
That is amazing. Can I hire your mom?! Oh man insurance companies are so horible. I knew I should be looking closely at my bills because of this very thing, but I was too exhausted to deal. You mom is a rock star to help out. You are so lucky.