Top Surgery Process

[Wrightful]

I can remember wanting top surgery since I first started questioning my gender, which feels like forever ago. Recently, I found that there's a surgeon much closer to me than the one I was originally looking at (admittedly wistfully, as he lives near cross country from my location). I liked the first for his results, but the new, closer surgeon has very similar ones, and as the travel requirements have changed, it suddenly feels much more plausible to seek out this part of my medical transition. 

Still, though, I find myself a little lost. The biggest obstacle, of course, is price. I need to know what it's going to approximately run me before I can start planning on when and if I will be able to commit. I am not sure whether I should contact the surgeon's office first, or if I should contact my insurance first to figure out an estimate. If anyone who has gone through the process would be willing to give some advice on how to proceed it would be greatly appreciated!

 

The surgeon is Nicholas Kim, based in Minneapolis. If anyone has had experiences working with him I would also love to hear those! The reviews I've seen from his clients on transbucket speak highly of their experiences and seem satisfied. 

 

Thank you in advance for those who take the time to read and respond!

[VickySGV]

Read your insurance policy which should be online at the site of your provider to see if you are covered and is it "In-plan" only or is it a general coverage for a physician you choose.  If you are covered, call the surgeon directly and see if they accept your insurance coverage.  If both parts are in-line with  each other, then it is safe to schedule a consultation, and if you click and have confidence with the surgeon, the only other suggestion would be to check with the state medical board and see if there are complaints against his license. 

[Wrightful]

Just now, VickySGV said:

Read your insurance policy which should be online at the site of your provider to see if you are covered and is it "In-plan" only or is it a general coverage for a physician you choose.  

 

Vicky, thank you for the response! I don't know if you'll have the answer to my next question, but I appreciate the guidance you've already given me! My insurance says the procedure will need pre-authorization, I think both based on the procedure and the fact that the surgeon is not technically in-network for me. So then my guess would be that I need to contact the insurance company first-- do you know if this is right? 

 

Thank you again!

[VickySGV]

The best way is to get either your Primary Care Physician, or the Surgeon to contact them for the pre-approval. Your PCP is going to have to let the surgeon know you are healthy enough to have the surgery done, so maybe start there if you have not already.   The doctors have insurance clerks that make a living dealing with the pre-approval process.  

[Wrightful]

Just now, VickySGV said:

The best way is to get either your Primary Care Physician, or the Surgeon to contact them for the pre-approval. Your PCP is going to have to let the surgeon know you are healthy enough to have the surgery done, so maybe start there if you have not already.   The doctors have insurance clerks that make a living dealing with the pre-approval process.  

 

Thank you again for your help! I have some clearer ideas about how to move forward now!