Can plastic surgeons waive or reduce hospital (OR/Anesthesia) fees?

Question

I have required two revisions since getting my implants a little over a year ago due to lateral displacement and bottoming out. I really respected my surgeon, but I did not pay all of this money to have my breast dropping past my ribs a couple months after a revision. When we discussed my upcoming second revision months ago, I was told it would be completely free of charge. I received a call today saying I need to rush to schedule because the hospitals fees are increasing next month ??? Help? :(

Brian C. Reuben, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately, surgeons do not control the fees set by the hospitals and surgical centers nor can we control the fees by the anesthesiologists.  Typically, can only influence our individual fees.  Some surgeons have their own surgical centers and can thus control more of the costs compared to commercial entities.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

it is nice that your surgeon is waiving his fee. he has no control over anesthesia or the operating room. They are not likely to cut their fees for you and your surgeon should not be responsible for their fees. Also what happened to you is due to no fault of your surgeon. sometimes things just happen and it does not mean he/she did anything wrong.best of luckdavid berman md

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

You need to know what the revision policies of your plastic surgeon are. This was most likely provided when you paid for your original surgery. Often the surgeon will waive his/her fees for revisions for a limited amount of time. They cannot waive the fees of the anesthesiologist or the operating room costs. The anesthesiologist does not work for free nor do the nurses or techs in the operating room. Furthermore there are drugs and supplies associated with surgery that need to be paid for. If the surgeon has his/her own operating rooms he/she can choose to absorb the operating room costs him/herself, but if he/she is working outside his/her office it is unlikely he/she will be paying the hospital or outpatient center for those costs. You may have misunderstood what "free" referred to and assumed it meant everything when in really really meant only the surgeon's fee. From you description of the call you received I would guess this may be the case. I suggest you call and find out soon.

Can plastic surgeons waive or reduce hospital (OR/Anesthesia) fees?

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Can plastic surgeons waive or reduce hospital (OR/Anesthesia) fees?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.