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Post by Bartman on May 28, 2019 21:06:09 GMT -5
Today's eye exam at Barenberg's has finally shown that I need Cataract Surgery. Was expecting it eventually but they say I need it now. Appt made to meet the Dr in a couple weeks. How Much? How Much Covered by Co. Medical Insurance? And anything else I should know.
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Post by guido2 on May 29, 2019 12:27:43 GMT -5
Today's eye exam at Barenberg's has finally shown that I need Cataract Surgery. Was expecting it eventually but they say I need it now. Appt made to meet the Dr in a couple weeks. How Much? How Much Covered by Co. Medical Insurance? And anything else I should know. Asking about how much insurance will cover is something you have to talk with your carrier about is your start point. In fact I would have your Dr. do it or at least help you do the inquiry and provide through you or directly on your behalf. Or pick up the phone and talk to them. Generalized information found on the web while helpful is NOT going to address your benefits for your particular coverage. Medicare/Medicaid is a whole different ball of wax vs a private policy. I guess the key would be around two things in general; - Is the policy you have support; preventive, imminent issues or you will not be able to see surgery. - Is Barnesberg's a Dr or a clinic and is the person you worked with a Medical Dr, an Ophthalmologist or an Optomologist. As their 'titles' will dictate if the insurance company will even consider it. These are things that my wife and I had to work through with my FILs issues. Not the exact answer I suspect you wanted but hopefully it helps.
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Post by Bartman on May 29, 2019 21:31:14 GMT -5
Barenberg's is an Opthamologists office with at least 2 different locations in Balto. maybe more I don't know. Went to them after not being satisfied with the larger Nat'l chains some years ago. The one I've been going to is in Dundalk opposite Eastpoint and they've been there for years. This time they said I'm now due for the surgery as the last time 3 years ago they told me it would be coming up in the future. They said where they do the surgeries is in Parkville. I'll go there for my next consultation in June. Then sometime after that will be the actual surgery. My Co. ins (Aetna) should cover everything they said except my $1000 deductible. So I'm guessing that the One Grand will be what I'll have to deal with.
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Post by guido2 on May 30, 2019 17:58:17 GMT -5
Barenberg's is an Opthamologists office with at least 2 different locations in Balto. maybe more I don't know. Went to them after not being satisfied with the larger Nat'l chains some years ago. The one I've been going to is in Dundalk opposite Eastpoint and they've been there for years. This time they said I'm now due for the surgery as the last time 3 years ago they told me it would be coming up in the future. They said where they do the surgeries is in Parkville. I'll go there for my next consultation in June. Then sometime after that will be the actual surgery. My Co. ins (Aetna) should cover everything they said except my $1000 deductible. So I'm guessing that the One Grand will be what I'll have to deal with.If you are still working... Look into a Health Savings Account (HSA but there are other letters/acronymns). Nice thing is that now if you are still working then in is OK to dump a lot into it fast...over a certain age...add more is possible. And then that money can be used to pay your co-pays etc. So if that is you that pre-tax/post tax savings could be good for you. And unlike before it is no longer...use it year per year...you put it in to the account and it is there till the day you check out. Nice if you hit the marks even at a later age. However, like myself and my wife....we missed that window. You can't do a HSA if you are at retirement age and retired. Hope that helps. PS this not my specialty or expertise...it is just what I have ran into and thought it maybe of useful.
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Post by zenwalk on May 30, 2019 18:46:48 GMT -5
Today's eye exam at Barenberg's has finally shown that I need Cataract Surgery. Was expecting it eventually but they say I need it now. Appt made to meet the Dr in a couple weeks. How Much? How Much Covered by Co. Medical Insurance? And anything else I should know. You need cataract surgery when you no longer can drive at night or you feel you're sick of your foggy vision. If you aren't then don't do it. I had it done many years ago so I don't know anything about billing and cost. The one huge regret is while I could see all the way to Delaware afterwards, I couldn't read a menu. The joy of reading became complicated. Maybe they do it in such a way this is no longer an issue but ask about it. The drops they put in your eyes are pretty trippy.
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Post by palealeman on May 31, 2019 14:26:48 GMT -5
Bartman, had cataract surgery on both eyes just over 2 years ago. I have Medicare and a supplemental BC/BS policy, and between then they covered everything.
The surgery itself if pretty easy. There's some prep time involving BP checks, etc, and many, many drops to numb and dilate. I was in the operating theater for just over 15 minutes, then back out to recover, have a lite snack, and then back home. Vision started returning to normal that evening. The next day it was back to the Doctor's office for a check. I almost jumped out of the chair when I saw the big E on the eye chart for the first time in over 50 years.
I was referred to Select Eye Care in Towson by my optometrist.I was more than satisfied with them. In fact, a year later my wife had the same surgery in both eyes herself. I highly recommend them if they're convenient for you. They use a surgery center in Baltimore by Charles and Stevenson Lane, and another in Columbia just off 108 (I think).
The surgery is easy and painless. Go for it.
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Post by Bartman on May 31, 2019 17:16:47 GMT -5
Today's eye exam at Barenberg's has finally shown that I need Cataract Surgery. Was expecting it eventually but they say I need it now. Appt made to meet the Dr in a couple weeks. How Much? How Much Covered by Co. Medical Insurance? And anything else I should know. You need cataract surgery when you no longer can drive at night or you feel you're sick of your foggy vision. If you aren't then don't do it. I had it done many years ago so I don't know anything about billing and cost. The one huge regret is while I could see all the way to Delaware afterwards, I couldn't read a menu. The joy of reading became complicated. Maybe they do it in such a way this is no longer an issue but ask about it. The drops they put in your eyes are pretty trippy. I've had no line Bi-Focals for many years now. My vision isn't "Foggy" to me at all, maybe I'm used to it. I'm 20/50 left and 20/30 right with the Latest correction they dialed in the other day. Just a tad stronger than my current lenses. I just want to make sure I still pass the drivers test. I can drive at night but the lights, traffic lights and other vehicles taillights, it's hard to explain but imagine glare in the shape of big X's in red, yellow and green and the white headlights. How are those Damn LED lamps Legal? Jesus!!! Worst now is in the Tunnel that is 2way that I Have to go through to work in the AM. Headlights coming right at me especially SUVs & Trucks where the lights are up at my eye level and it's really Tough on me in there. I can't go fast in there with those lights in my eyes, 30mph tops with my eyes glued to the road. 3 years or so ago at my last exam they told me that the cataract in my Left was a 2 and the Right eye was a 1. Now they're saying 3 and 2 so they have gotten worse and it does bother me more. Will see the surgeon for his consult the week after next.
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Post by zenwalk on May 31, 2019 17:46:37 GMT -5
You need cataract surgery when you no longer can drive at night or you feel you're sick of your foggy vision. If you aren't then don't do it. I had it done many years ago so I don't know anything about billing and cost. The one huge regret is while I could see all the way to Delaware afterwards, I couldn't read a menu. The joy of reading became complicated. Maybe they do it in such a way this is no longer an issue but ask about it. The drops they put in your eyes are pretty trippy. I've had no line Bi-Focals for many years now. My vision isn't "Foggy" to me at all, maybe I'm used to it. I'm 20/50 left and 20/30 right with the Latest correction they dialed in the other day. Just a tad stronger than my current lenses. I just want to make sure I still pass the drivers test. I can drive at night but the lights, traffic lights and other vehicles taillights, it's hard to explain but imagine glare in the shape of big X's in red, yellow and green and the white headlights. How are those Damn LED lamps Legal? Jesus!!! Worst now is in the Tunnel that is 2way that I Have to go through to work in the AM. Headlights coming right at me especially SUVs & Trucks where the lights are up at my eye level and it's really Tough on me in there. I can't go fast in there with those lights in my eyes, 30mph tops with my eyes glued to the road. 3 years or so ago at my last exam they told me that the cataract in my Left was a 2 and the Right eye was a 1. Now they're saying 3 and 2 so they have gotten worse and it does bother me more. Will see the surgeon for his consult the week after next. The surgery is no big deal. Presumably they'll do them one at a time. The need to remove cataracts is strictly a personal choice. I did welding in a previous occupation and it blew my eyes out in my 40s. Oncoming car beams at night are the test for most people I'd imagine. At home if you find you tend to keep the lights low - that's another sign. But cataracts don't lead to any other problem so it's a matter of personal choice.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2019 5:44:44 GMT -5
most commonly performed surgical procedure in usa
go to wilmer because theyre the best in the world and theyre right here
why go anywhere else
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Post by palealeman on Jun 15, 2019 13:52:53 GMT -5
Today's eye exam at Barenberg's has finally shown that I need Cataract Surgery. Was expecting it eventually but they say I need it now. Appt made to meet the Dr in a couple weeks. How Much? How Much Covered by Co. Medical Insurance? And anything else I should know. Any update?
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Post by guido2 on Jun 16, 2019 11:12:12 GMT -5
Sort of a side note; I have had very poor vision (near sighted) for decades. I considered the various laser etc surgeries for years. Seems my poor vision always ran behind ( or is it ahead) the technology to bring my vision to 20/20.
Last time I went to the eye doctor he noticed clouding and said eventually I will have to get the operation fake lens and all. But...as he said....my vision will be likely 20/20 after that.
Joy.
So I said ...silly me...'ahhhh well then can I get them replaced now'? Answer; NOPE. Why Answer: As coverage stands you will not be covered for the operation. So, I have to be nearly or totally blind to get it done Answer: yes
So, I have to continue spending mega bucks on glasses and contact lenses (my last pair of glasses was close to 750)...but... I could have this operation for say 2000 and never have to buy these things again..and that is better.
Answer: Not better for you ….but better for the insurance companies.
And that's the truth.
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Post by Bartman on Jun 16, 2019 11:32:55 GMT -5
Meet with the Opthalmic Surgeon on Monday 6/17. Guessing he'll look at me, explain the procedures and schedule the procedure then. Best guess with my Co. Ins. is I have a $1000 Deductible then they pick up 80%. Any Ideas on what this will run me out of pocket after that?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2019 16:48:59 GMT -5
Meet with the Opthalmic Surgeon on Monday 6/17. Guessing he'll look at me, explain the procedures and schedule the procedure then. Best guess with my Co. Ins. is I have a $1000 Deductible then they pick up 80%. Any Ideas on what this will run me out of pocket after that? Finally. I can use my HS algebra. Average cost of cataracts is $3500 per eye. $1000 deductible and 20% of the difference puts you at $1500 per eye. But that is just the surgery. Aren't you on Medicare?
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Post by Bartman on Jun 18, 2019 20:12:31 GMT -5
Meet with the Opthalmic Surgeon on Monday 6/17. Guessing he'll look at me, explain the procedures and schedule the procedure then. Best guess with my Co. Ins. is I have a $1000 Deductible then they pick up 80%. Any Ideas on what this will run me out of pocket after that? Finally. I can use my HS algebra. Average cost of cataracts is $3500 per eye. $1000 deductible and 20% of the difference puts you at $1500 per eye. But that is just the surgery. Aren't you on Medicare? Still working so I have my Co. Ins with the $1K deductible & 20% of over that. 1st procedure now scheduled for 4th week of July.
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Post by palealeman on Jun 18, 2019 22:11:20 GMT -5
You'll love it, Bartman. Very easy, no pain, good vision when it's all over.
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