DaVinci Procedure Experimental?

I don't know the numbers, but the DaVinci system is among the most used for prostate cancer surgery.  Check out their web site (attached) and give them a call for help in educating your insurance company.

http://www.davinciprostatectomy.com/index.aspx

Bob,

I have come to belieive that insurance companies have it in their corporate charters the golden rule of "avoid paying any and all claims.

With that said, and off my chest, I would suggest going to the manufacture's web site http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/index.aspx  and arm youself with as many facts as possible.  Go to the "patient services" tab, it has lots of information.  You might even consider contacting Intutitive Surgical's customer services department (888-409-4774 ext.1 ) and explain your situation - maybe they would advocate for you with your insurance company.

I had the Davinci procedure 15 months ago with GREAT results!

Good luck.

In the link below is a blog entry of a gentleman who had DaVinci at the City of Hope near Los Angeles and was covered by Blue Corss/Blue Shield. City of Hope only does da Vinci surgeries. They list Blue Cross and Blue Shield as acceptable insurance carriers. I hope this helps.

I do recall a person stuck with the bill because prior approvals were not sought before treatment was performed. That was a person that had UHC. Not sure how that ended up.

Tony

Bob, I live in South Carolina, and even though I had open surgery, I know for a fact that my Blue Cross would have paid for the robotic had I chosen it.

Me too here, I had daVinci robotic prostatectomy last September and I have BC/BS of Pennsylvania, no problem with coverage. In fact I think I read somewhere that almost 1/2 of all prostatectomies nationally are robotic now................. 

Greetings, Bob. I had the open surgery, but my doc says that robotic is where everyone is headed. In fact, he said that while there are certain aspects of open he prefers, he may be going to robotic before long. My experience is insurance companies look for ways not to pay - keep pushing. Best wishes. David

Once I made the decision to follow my Urologist/Surgeon's recommendation to have my prostate removed via the da Vinci method he told me to let his staff handle the arrangements with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, my insurer, and he specifically told me not to speak with the insurance company and to refer any call(s) I might receive from them to his office.  I followed his advice and the insurance company paid the bill.  Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago has a staff person whose sole job it is to push the paperwork through the insurance companies in the manner they, the insurance companies, find acceptable.   If you haven't already spoken with the surgeon about this I'd give his office manager/assistant a call to see how they've handled the insurance company matter with other patients in the practice.  It's in the financial interest of the hospital/surgeon to have the procedure approved by the insurance companies so they should do the fighting for their patients.  Not all insurance policies are identically written, so carefully read the "fine print" in yours.