Focusing on 'Presold' Cataract Patients
America's population just hit the 300 Million mark, and every year 2.8 Million Americans have cataract surgery.
In earlier blog posts I've described different types of lens implants that replace the cloudy natural lens. These devices help folks see at distance after surgery. Most wear glasses for reading.
Until recently insurance covered the costs of the surgery plus the lens implant. Folks who want one of those innovative multifocal lens implants that provide clear focusing at all distances, near to very far away, must pay the difference out of pocket. That averages $3500 per eye. Ouch!
Doctors don't want to become car salesmen so the implant manufacturers are spending plenty marketing these new implants to the lay community. The goal is to convince consumers of the value of these expensive lens implants before they visit the eye surgeon. These patients are PRESOLD.
The unresolved issue is full disclosure. Patients (consumers) should not make any healthcare decisions without full knowledge of the proposed benefits, alternatives and potential risk of complications. We've all experienced the TV commercials for Rx pills and those ridiculous disclaimers, "Don't take Xxpill if you have liver problems. Xxpill can cause headache, painful urination, dizziness, and projectile vomiting. Blah, blah, blah." That is no way to choose an intraocular lens implant.
Related Topics: Gap in Medicare Rx Coverage is Costly, Share in Every Medical Decision - Shared Decisions About Surgery
Technorati Tags: cataract surgery, lens implants, consumer tips
3 Comments:
Is there somewhere I can go to check insurance coverage policies for this type of procedure across carriers?
You will want to contact your physician office and obtain the CPT code numbers and descriptions for the IOL's and check the actual procedure codes thru your insurance plan. Each insurance plan is difference, and unfortunately no two pay the same!
You should definitnely get compklete disclosure from your Opthomologist MD before getting the multi-focal lens and surgery .
My Dr. billed me separate surgeon charges for the regular lens an multi-focal lens, and my insurance hasn't paid the second charge. All attempts so far to get Dr.s' office to explain why have met with no success.
My wife thinks it's just their way of getting around what the insurance companies will and will not pay.
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