this is a very good question. and while i am not an expert on insurance issues i am a former surgical nurse so i feel qualified to give an opinion. a couple of points to consider: many very good surgeons do not have a great "bedside manner. " perhaps the surgeon did not give you a straight answer to your question because he did not know the answer. your question was administrative in nature; surgeons often don't deal with that stuff. if you had asked "what type of closure will you be using? " i can guarantee you'd have had a straight answer lickety-split. i recommend you pick up the phone and call the surgeon's nurse or physician assistant. you may find these professionals to be better resources for getting the information you need whether it's about paperwork or post-op instructions. all of that said i strongly believe no one should go into surgery if they're not 100% comfortable with the surgical team. you always have the right to decline surgery right up until the moment you receive anesthetic drugs. never be afraid to say "stop. " if the surgeon is part of a group (as is often the case) your insurance should allow you to see any surgeon in the group. i suggest you request a "second opinion" with another surgeon in the group to see if you have better rapport. many insurance companies will cover a second consult. alternatively call your insurance company and tell them frankly you were not satisfied with the surgeon and want to see someone else. they may be willing to accommodate you. wishing you well!
how do i request a different surgeon from the one i was assigned? . i am a low risk patient with great insurance in need of a routine surgery. in meeting my surgeon i learned we do not communicate well. i could not get a straight answer to questions like "to whom do i give this form when completed". i am concerned i will have complications just because i do not know something simple and critical. how do i request another surgeon? is my referral for lack of a better term transferable? is there a way to verify how well her patients recover compared to averages?