This week, Gail Lanter, CPC Practice Manager, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question. Question: The worst part of my battle was with a Medicare Advantage Plan HMO. I've switched to a different plan and am thrilled with the way my breast cancer situation has turned out. We are not objects for the medical community. Most women would never initiate what I have had to go through. I am so thankful that I have gone the route I did. Answer: Thanks for reaching out. Sounds like things are going well for you, that’s great to hear! We understand completely the problems many patients are having with Medicare Advantage (Replacement) plans, both the PPO and HMO’s. They are difficult and sometimes impossible to deal with from both the patient and provider perspective. We have decided that our practice will not accept new patients with a Medicare Replacement plan going forward for microsurgical free flap breast reconstruction procedures – only Traditional Medicare. Maybe one day we’ll reconsider - but not until some significant improvement in both the provider service and claims processing areas within those payers takes place. It’s awful the way two of the top 10 largest insurers in the United States who offer Medicare Replacement Plans treat patients and their providers and it should be stopped.Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask!(opens in a new tab)
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