anyone had surgery with laurence levine?

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raz

I've seen a lot of talk on here about laurence a levine in chicago. Has anyone had surgery from him? I have an appointment to see him for the first time. I'm just afraid the cost for surgery will be really expensive. It's over a thousand just to get seen by him. I'm looking into the graft or the nesbit procedure. Anyone know how much it'll cost roughly?

LWillisjr

raz211,

Levine is my doctor. I had excision and grafting 2 years ago. Are you from the U.S.? Any insurace coverage at all?

Les
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
My History

raz

yes I'm in the US. I don't have insurance, even if I did I probably wouldn't be covered since it'd be pre-existing. I scheduled to see a urologist before but canceled the appointment so insurance would find out if I tried to sign up I think. Plus, I'm all the way in california, and I don't think they'd cover me in a state that far away. I can probably pay it out of pocket though as long as it's not something crazy like 50,000+

raz

Also, I'm glad your surgery was successful for you. I've tried traction for months with vitamin e and nothing but discomfort. I hope the injection therapy will work so I don't have to get surgery, but I'm willing to do the surgery if that's what it takes. I've had this condition for 9 years and it has bothered me everyday, and I'm willing to take the risk of surgery.

emperordune

I had surgery for congenital curvature with Dr. Levine and I signed up for insurance 2 months before surgery.  They never considered it a pre-existing condition.  Find a plan with a low deductible and low maximum out of pocket.

LWillisjr

I already have coverage, but agree with Emperordune. And many plans have in-network doctors all across the U.S.  I know Levine deals with Blue Cross and I'm sure with others as well. He is an "In-Network" doc for Blue Cross.

FYI.....   My total surgery was billed at around $45k. Unbelievable when you realize it was outpatient and I was maybe at the hospital 6-7 hours before on my way home. The insurance agreed rate was around $22k which the insurance covered and the difference is considered a write-off. I did end up paying about $1k out of pocket for my so called portion of Levine's fee and the anesthesiologist's fee.

Les
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
My History

Woodman

I ve seen Dr. Levine and have Humana health insurance. Hes in network for there plans. They payed on my services to the extent of my coverage. Most major health insurance plans will cover things outside your state. Particularly if its a specialist and there isnt any in your location. With Humana I had no problems. I just called before making the appointment and confirmed they would cover the doctor being out of state, he was in there network & etc.

Just having a health insurance plan usually gives you the benefit of the discount pricing like Les was discribing. They have negotiated rates instead of mostly full sticker price for private pay.

So if your needing surgery I would highly suggest looking into insurance cause it would be a good investment for you.

PD_SUCKS

Quote from: raz211 on November 08, 2010, 02:27:54 PM
I've seen a lot of talk on here about laurence a levine in chicago. Has anyone had surgery from him? I have an appointment to see him for the first time. I'm just afraid the cost for surgery will be really expensive. It's over a thousand just to get seen by him. I'm looking into the graft or the nesbit procedure. Anyone know how much it'll cost roughly?
Willis above saw Dr. Levine, and it says his grand total was 45k...
I was denied by all major insurance providers for having Peyronies Disease.
Man, not sure what to do now...

CongenitalCurve

Six days ago I had a Nesbit (TAP) procedure done by Dr Levine to correct my lateral congenital curvature (see my thread in the congenital section https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,1395.0.html).  Before the surgery I checked everything out with my insurance and called the hospital for estimates.  You can reach biling at RUSH at 312-942-5000 for the doctor and hospital estimates and for the anesthesiology estimate you can call 847-679-6369.

Here is what they provided....

Dr Levine's bill: $8,250
Hospital/OR: $6,700 ---- this is after Blue Cross/BS discount of over $15,000...yeah WOW!
Anesthesiologist: ? - Never got estimate

I have a good PPO policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield that has a $1,000 deductible and 80/20.   Please note that the above figures are adjusted costs based on what the insurance company allows them to bill for these procedures.   If you aren't familiar....most doctors charge more than the insurance companies determine the service should cost.  The doctors/hospitals have agreements with insurance companies to accept the lower amount that the insurance companies deem proper.   The figures above were provided by the hospital billing dept based on the agreement they have with BC/BS.   Also, these were only advance estimates - not the actual bills which I have not yet received.  With my deductible met thanks to the initial visit and ultrasound, I will only be responsible for 20% of the above plus 20% of the anesthesiologist's bill.  I expect to have to come up with about $5,000 out of pocket - don't know where I am going to get it yet, but I will.  

I can't say that I "know" Dr. Levine.  I had one 10 minute appointment, and the surgery where I spoke to him for about 4 minutes prior to the operation - that's it!   I can tell you that he has a great reputation, I liked him instantly, and my results are very good so far.  I think he is one of the best in the world at this type of procedure.   Believe it or not I was referred to him by a doctor named Osama Shaeer in Egypt that I was emailing regarding a procedure called Corporeal Rotation.   Of course I also read much about Dr. Levine here and elsewhere online.  Other than Dr. Lue in San Fran, I don't see how you could possibly choose anyone else for this surgery.  Dr. Levine has tremendous experience with Nesbit and modified Nesbit procedures and he is "The Man".

(lwillisjr...  Could you let me know how much your anesthesiologist's adusted bill was?)

LWillisjr

Quote from: CongenitalCurve on December 10, 2010, 02:06:32 AM

(lwillisjr...  Could you let me know how much your anesthesiologist's adusted bill was?)


I actually don't recall getting a seperate bill for the anesthesiologist. Just one from the hospital and one from Levine.
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
My History

ShadesOfBlue

I live in Canada, so due to our state run medical care, I have no health insurence. I plan to call Dr. Levine tommorrow ..... does anyone have any advice on how to avoid having to pay in cash. Im definitely not a wealthy  man .... but I'd give my last dollar if it would give me a better chance of beating this.

LWillisjr

I would suggest calling his office and explaining, and see what your options are.
Developed peyronies 2007 - 70 degree dorsal curve
Traction/MEDs/Injections/Surgery 2008 16 years Peyronies free now
My History

thunder

I went to Dr Levine for surgery. I was very impressed and found the staff and treatment kind and proffessional. My only concern for anyone getting the surgery is that one should be aware it can result in significant loss of length. I actually thought I might gain length. I still don't believe I was informed as to the possibility of losing significant length. From the onset of p to post op I lost about 3".

MikeSmith0

Quote from: thunder on January 22, 2011, 06:32:57 PM
I went to Dr Levine for surgery. I was very impressed and found the staff and treatment kind and proffessional. My only concern for anyone getting the surgery is that one should be aware it can result in significant loss of length. I actually thought I might gain length. I still don't believe I was informed as to the possibility of losing significant length. From the onset of p to post op I lost about 3".

Wow... he told someone directly that he's one of the few surgeons who knows how to do the surgery without sacrificing more than 1/2" !   If I woke up -3" I would be pissed off.  

Do you know if you had incision and grafting or excision?  Are the plaques gone?  Another uro told me that excision & grafting is bad for size...mostly bc the penis heals flaccid - and so the scar tissue builds during healing & doesn't let the size expand.   He'll only do implants - if he does anything...and he leaves you erect after surgery so the penis heals erect.   He also said you can feel all the grafts and patients hate that...which was contradicted by a poster here who cannot feel his grafts.  Dr. Alter does not do grafts - but he cuts into the scar tissue to release it...and release the curve as much as possible.  Some people are too severe for this technique though and need excision...which is a very limited skill among uros.  Did Levine say anything about your recurrence odds?

Luciano

So I would not hijack this thread i moved my post to new thread.
started with small question, but got longer and longer.. so i moved it to here:

https://www.peyroniesforum.net/index.php/topic,1691.0.html
Luc

jonkchicago

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum.  I'm scheduled to have TAP surgery with Dr. Levine on Sept. 24.  Right now, I am trying to get used to the USPhysiomed Traction Device.  :-\.  I have a Blue Cross HMO.  Somehow, my PCP worked a miracle and got me a referral to Dr. Levine.  I saw him for the initial consultation and had some blood work.  I assumed since I had a referral all the costs would be covered but I have a bill for what appears to be the difference between what Levine's office is charging and the insurance is paying.  I have a call in to check.   Now I am a bit worried that if I go through with the surgery, I will have to pay for the difference.  Just wondering if anyone else has had a situation like this.  I will call his office and my insurance to verify before the surgery but just thought I would take a stab at it here.  Easier to get in touch with you guys than the insurance and doctor's offices!  Thanks so much.

Jon

Stabler

Jonkchicago,

What your bill is for (most likely) is you Co Insurance amount. if you have 80/20 coverage this may be your 20% that you owe. You MUST know your benefits. Your Pcp office may have been able to get you the referral to see him but you need to make sure he is IN NETWORK with your plan, if he is not then you will be paying higher costs for his services using "Out of Network benefits"

In most cases, a consultation and labs work if done in that office would be covered under a Co pay (for a specialist) this amount is on your ins card and you would have paid it when you went to the office visit. Your surgery is going to be the same situation, except if you have a deductible that will have to be met first, then your Co Insurance will kick in, and with surgery you will be looking at a bill from the Dr, the surgery center and anesthesiology (3 separate bills usually) Call your insurance make sure you know what your benefits are, make sure everyone is going to be IN NETWORK, see how much of your deductible has been met and what your co insurance is, this will give you an idea of what you might owe. When you call your insurance use the member services # on the back of your ins card and ask to speak with the Benefits dept.

Hope this helps Msg me with any questions, Mamma deals with health insurance all day this is my job.
Moderator since 2015- Missouri- I work in the medical field and have strong knowledge of insurance and how to obtain coverage for medication and other treatments. Being a woman I do not have Peyronies but you can ask me anything. I am happy to help.

jonkchicago

Stabler,

Thanks.  I have an HMO, so normally everything is covered, but I've always been using an in network provider with a referral.  The in network URO I originally got a referral to was a bit older and I was not as sure I wanted to trust my penis to him.  My PCP understood and actually wanted me to see Levine.  Thus he put up a good argument for a referral from my HMO.  I guess I thought that meant that everything was covered, but I guess perhaps not.  I will have to contact Levine's office and my insurance to find out.  I guess if I had to pay up to and no more than $5,000, I would be willing since he is the best, but cannot afford more than that.

Thanks for responding.

Jon

Stabler

jon.

Do you have Out of Network benefits with you ins plan? If u do, it will be covered with the referral from you primary just at a higher cost to you, ex. Instead of having 80/20 coverage u might only have 70/30 coverage so yes call your ins and know what your benefits are. VERY important to know that.

Also its important that your ins know that you need to see Dr Levive for a condition that a regular urologist cant treat, your primarys office should have helped you get this approved with your insurance, so make sure and ask for their help.
Moderator since 2015- Missouri- I work in the medical field and have strong knowledge of insurance and how to obtain coverage for medication and other treatments. Being a woman I do not have Peyronies but you can ask me anything. I am happy to help.

jonkchicago

Stabler,

Thanks.  Yes, my PCP did work a miracle by convincing my insurance that I needed to see Levine instead of the in network urologists :-).  But I will call my HMO and see what my options are.  Hard to tell from my little benefits booklet.  Then I am going to go to Levine's office and talk to the billing person there.  I still have some time (surgery scheduled for September 24) but don't want to wait too long to figure this out.

Thanks for all the help.   Will let you know when I have more info.

Jon

Stabler

Good I'm glad that your PCP did their part. Make sure that when you call your insurance you ask about the coverage for the surgery. Make sure you know the name of the facility and who will be doing anesthesia so you can make sure they are in network or out so you know the coverage. Now if Dr Levine is out of network, his surgery facility may be as well so check that out.

Keep in touch!!
Moderator since 2015- Missouri- I work in the medical field and have strong knowledge of insurance and how to obtain coverage for medication and other treatments. Being a woman I do not have Peyronies but you can ask me anything. I am happy to help.

jonkchicago

Sorry I haven't been on in nearly a month.  I called Levine's office to find out about the charge.  It turns out that they sent the lab tests to the wrong lab which my insurance doesn't use.  So they took the charges off my account.  My office visit etc with Levine was covered in full.  My HMO said that if I receive a referral,all of the costs are covered and that I shouldn't have to pay anything.  Seeing as the office with Levine was covered I think that is true, though I will definitely speak to someone in his office about this a few weeks before surgery.

Thanks Stabler67! :)

Stabler

Wonderful news, it is so important that you be your own advocate for your own health, make sure you know your benefits and where you should and shouldn't go, unfortunately when you call the insurance companies, you can call 3 times in a row and get 3 different answers, so look at your benefits on paper, know what your coverage is. I cant stress that enough and fight for your health, if you need something that isn't covered..... call your doctors, ask them to help you, it is their job to do so.

Mamma does this all day long :) Helping the people its what I do LOL
Moderator since 2015- Missouri- I work in the medical field and have strong knowledge of insurance and how to obtain coverage for medication and other treatments. Being a woman I do not have Peyronies but you can ask me anything. I am happy to help.