Surgeons in VT and NH (Dartmouth)

[ppost]

Does anyone have info on surgeons in Vermont or associated with Dartmouth Hitchcock hospital in New Hampshire? I was scheduled for surgery by Dr Su in NY, but my VT Blue Cross won't pay for out of network, because "there are local providers". Dr Ivan Tomek at Dartmouth and Dr David Halsey at Fletcher Allen in Burlington, VT both list resurfacing as procedures they perform, and I believe Dr Tomek uses BHR. But I can't find any info on their experience.
I have one more level of appeal with Blue Cross in which I can present supporting arguments.

[hernanu]

Don't know those surgeons, but one thing you might check is to call their office, find out the number of resurfacing patients they have had, the success rate and the number of resurfacing patients that are given HR's per week / month.

In my opinion, the surgeons with a good success rate are those that are committed to the procedure and do a good amount at a good rate. It speaks to their skill set, in a procedure where the skills are critical.

Compare those to someone like Dr. Su, who has a high success rate and a deep commitment to both the procedure and his patients. Good luck - those surgeons may well be very good (Dartmouth Medical School? ) and answering those questions (or others Pat has posted on the site) will help you to get to the best surgeon for you.

[sheptr]

I searched NH and northeastern MA for a resurfacing specialist for my brother, who also has BC/BS Anthem insurance, with limited
results.  I got lead on Dr. Snyder in Boston and another Dr in RI.  Couldn't find enough info on either one, postive or negative.
Sent X-Rays to Dr Gross and Dr Bose, and liked both of those guys and their responses. At the end of all the searching my brother decided his heart was set on Dr. Su in NYC.
A few factors played into his decision:
1) I had just reached the 2 year mark of an LBHR by Dr Su.  Ridiculously easy, trouble free recovery.
2) As easy as they make the whole process at HSS, I would accompany him through on pre-op day.
3) He would spend at least 3-5 weeks at my house in North NJ, recovering, hanging out with my kids and being near Dr Su, just in case.
BC/BS approved his procedure, but dear brother didn't look at the fine print.  It was approved, but only for about 10% because it was
out of network.  The BC/BS rep assigned to my brother's case, advised, after the fact, that any doctor in network would have been totally covered.
Brother will half heartedly appeal it with BC/BS, but does not regret using Dr Su at all and says he would do it the same way again.
Didn't mean to derail your thread, good luck with your appeal.  I hope you can find an experienced Dr in network.

[hernanu]

One other option is to look farther afield. I had good luck with Dr. Snyder, but this is a procedure where you can travel and do most other things remotely or with a local doctor. Many hippies have had good success traveling to, say Dr. Gross who may be in network for you, or a doctor like Dr. Brooks in Cleveland.

The release from the hospital and the travel to anywhere in the country to recoup is something that is not a threat to the surgery done, and to benefit from a highly experienced Doctor, would be worth the extra hassle, since you're looking for it to last as long as is possible.

Update: I just checked Blue Cross Blue shield and he is in network (I believe, unless I screwed up) and the Providence hospital is a blue center of excellence. So I would think this would be a good argument. South Carolina for a few days might be nice.