Financing & Insurance

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance. The payment is required in full prior to the onset of the procedure. Prices will generally be quoted after consultation. A 25% non-refundable down payment will be required to hold time for surgery. The balance is due 10 days prior to the date of surgery.

The office accepts most major credit cards. There are several financing programs available. From time to time we work with different financing companies for our patients. These companies are independent of our practice. Currently, many of our patients have used AMS financing service which can be found at www.MBNA.com

Although revision or secondary surgeries are never intended, the patients are told that there may be future costs if they return to surgery. If the revision occurs within the first 2 years there will usually be similar fees for anesthesia and operating room supplies. The surgeon's fee will usually be greatly reduced.

There are some special circumstances. For example, in breast augmentation there are specific warranties for the replacement of a deflated implant. See our Resources page for more information on breast implants i.e. www.mentorcorp.com.

Reconstructive Surgery

Explanation of our office policy regarding insurance benefits

Reconstructive Surgery generally refers to surgery that either attempts to restore the

patient to a condition prior to injury. Or it may refer to the treatment of a medical condition such as skin cancer, birth deformity, heavy breasts which may be painful, etc.

It our office policy to perform the very best medical and surgical care to our patients that is possible. Over the past 15 years the insurance industry has steadily diminished the payment reimbursements on the services that we render. Either by having physicians accept a "contracted rate," such as in a PPO or provider relationship, or a fixed fee in other managed care arrangements, the doctor, under these circumstances is unable to control his/ or her fees. Confusing statements from the carriers such as "usual and customary" are methods of putting the insured at conflict with the physician and side stepping the issue of failing to pay adequately for insured benefits.

Our office severed all contractual relationships with the insurance carriers as of early 1998. This means that we are neither providers nor are we contracted with any insurance plan or carrier. * We are, however, able to bill many insurance policies and the patient is able to receive, often times, significant benefits. Sometimes the insurance company has payment benefits that cover the entire fee. Because the system has become so confusing, we have offered the following procedure with excellent success. All patients are able to come into the office for a "free consult" if it is in order to determine what the prices might be for the proposed services. Normally, the charge to seek information regarding reconstructive surgery is $50.00 or more. At the time of the visit we will give you the following:

This system has been working out very well for both our existing patients and new patients. We will try very hard to come to a fair price before engaging in care. It may be a reduction from our retail value that we set ahead of time, which will in effect meet the patient or family part way. In this manner we have regained not only some of the control in pricing, but more importantly, we are no longer responsible to the insurance carriers for the decisions that are made in patient care.

The decision not to "contract" with insurance carriers has allowed us to spend more time with patients and continue to give excellent and personalized care.

Please call us with any questions or ask to speak to Dr. Altman personally.