Insurance shopping, specifically for surgery. Any recos?

[IWantAStraightDick]

I'm healthy otherwise and have had no need for a doctor or ridiculous insurance premiums, but now that open enrollment is about to close I'm considering getting a plan primarily to cover the cost of incision (or excision) / graft. I can get a plan either in Florida or CA as I have residences in both (primarily FL) and based on the list of Doctors on the site, Gelman in Orange County, CA would be a great choice. I called their office for help, but they could not guide me. They accept a variety of plans but mentioned even two people with the same exact plan can have a different outcome as far as coverage payment or denial. They could not even answer what plan resulted in highest success.

That said, the bulk of the cost is the outpatient facility at 11k, then of course his fees which will be at least 7K, so a plan with good outpatient coverage (and preferably low or 0 deductible) would be best (then I can change it next year to el cheapo bronze).

My choices for FL doctors would be either Carrion in Tampa or the Mayo Clinic doc in Jacksonville.

Nearly all of the FL plans have high co-pays for the hospital outpatient, and the CA ones do not, but I cannot get Gelman or the University as a listed provider when selecting a plan.

So the questions are:

1) Has anyone used a common insurance co (Blue, Aetna, etc...) for surgery out of state? If so, what plan and Doctor?
2) What Doctors and coverage have you had success with, either in Florida or California?

With an 80° curve and no implant necessary, this is certainly not a cosmetic / elective surgery, although insurance companies may see it otherwise. And related:

3) I definitely do not want plication, loss of length would be too drastic, so if you have another Dr / insurance combo recommendation, let me know.

Just trying to decide if it's worth getting insurance before the clock runs out, or if I'm going to end up paying for most of this myself anyway.

[Mikel7]

Stabler is the one to answer this question and is very knowledgeable in the insurance game.

[IWantAStraightDick]

Stabler is the one to answer this question and is very knowledgeable in the insurance game.

As an after-thought, I also asked on the Dr. Trost board figuring he is one of the best, has nation-wide patients, and may know based on experience. Then again, a phone call to Gelman's office was fruitless, so who knows. Trying to figure this out in the next few days before open enrollment ends.  

[LWillisjr]

I doubt most doctors know the details of all the insurance companies they work with. Usually, the office staff deals with that. My insurance changed recently, and I had to send a copy of my new card to the doctor's office and they followed up on it for me.

[john.doe.550]

IWant: Here's a twist to watch for when sifting through insurance.  The hospital where they surgery is performed may be covered, but surgeon is not (because he / she) is out of network).