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Financial Policies
As patients approach surgery, they frequently need information about the various payment options and have questions about their potential insurance benefits. We hope the following information will be helpful.
Our financial coordinators are readily available to meet with you personally to provide the specific information you desire. They specialize in this area and will use their expertise to help you obtain the maximum benefits from your policy.
Payment Options
Payment for cosmetic surgery is due at the time of your preoperative visit (at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery day). We provide a number of payment options which may be used individually or combined according to your wishes.
Cash or Check: Personal Check, Cashier’s Check, or Cash
Credit Cards: Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover
We do not offer cosmetic surgery financing. It is our experience that most companies that offer financing for cosmetic procedures charge exorbitant interest rates (29.99%) and often charge additional "administrative" fees (some as high as 25%) in addition to the amount financed.
Insurance Coverage
No insurance company covers Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.
The benefits paid by insurance companies for reconstructive plastic surgery vary greatly from carrier to carrier and plan to plan. Therefore, we make every effort to determine in advance if insurance coverage exists. We ascertain the projected insurance payment and the required co-payment. We to this because we believe you need to be as informed as possible before surgery. We know you realize that you are ultimately responsible for the full payment of your account, but we have found that our knowledge and experience can be an important factor in assisting you to collect your maximum benefits.
Insurance does not cover the expenses of hospitalization and surgical fees when surgery is done exclusively for cosmetic reasons. However, if the operation is performed in an attempt to improve or restore function, and as a result it also improves one’s appearance, insurance may defray some of the cost.
Cancellation Policy
Throughout the field of Cosmetic Surgery, pre-payment is customary. A patient seeking cosmetic surgery is concerned with an attempted improvement in appearance. Since this does not constitute an emergency, the patient should have sufficient time to plan and arrange their finances in advance. It is our policy that surgical fees be paid 14 days prior to the date of surgery.
We understand that a situation may arise that could force you to postpone your surgery. Please understand that such changes affect not only your surgeon, but other patients as well. Dr. Howard’s time, as well as that of the operating room staff, is a precious commodity, and we request your courtesy and concern.
Payment is required 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery date. Failure to make complete payment will cause for cancellation of your surgery. We do not accept post-dated checks nor will we hold them. If you are planning to finance your surgery, it is your responsibility to get the financing processed and finalized in time for payment to be received 2 weeks prior to your surgery date.
If you should cancel surgery (and not reschedule) after payment has been made, you will be entitled to a 50% refund of the fees paid to Dr. Howard within 90 days.
If you paid by check, we will refund (50% of fees you paid to Dr. Howard) you in the form of a check within 90 days. Credit card payments will be refunded back (50% of fees you paid to Dr. Howard) to the credit card in which was originally charged within 90 days.
Surgery Scheduling Policy
Due to Dr. Howard’s demanding surgery schedule, surgeries are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis.
Dr. Paul Howard reserves the right to refuse plastic surgery services if he deems the patient not physically or mentally healthy enough for such services.
205-871-3361
205-877-PAUL
800-734-LIPO
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