Hi everyone. Hopefully someone can answer this.

I have an upcoming consultation for vaginoplasty surgery. They are asking me to sign a letter of Arbitration Agreement. Prior to consultation.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it new?  I had a number of FFS consultation but didn't sign anything like this.

Thank you for any input?

Ashley

I've never heard of that and I'd be looking for another surgeon. Those are designed to take away your rights in the event that a problem occurs. And arbiter gets a whole lot more business from companies than they do from some random individual and worse, they no doubt get to pick the arbiter as well. Binding arbitration should be illegal, but there's so much money involved its not.

Would you mind naming the surgeon.

Before surgery would be bad enough, but prior to consultation is crazy. I think I would find another surgeon.

No doubt he receives a discount from his malpractice carrier for doing this. Who is this?

I'd hope the surgeon is doing this before consultation as fair warning to anyone considering them - it would be very unfair to only find out just before the surgery, and it avoids anyone wasting time on it. Perhaps I'm far to cynical, but I find it hard to believe that's the reason.

Thanks for the quick replies.
I thought it seemed odd. I had a consultation scheduled for a few months with Dr. Crane. Then my insurance changed there mind and for whatever reason. Can't go to Dr Crane because he is in Austin. Have to choose between Satterwhite and Wittenberg. I choose Wittenberg because shorter wait list.  I have a consultation next week.  I called today and asked what time my consultation was. They said Dr Wittenberg is requiring this before consultation.  I didn't sign it. I  emailed them back asking some question and what happens if I don't feel comfortable signing it?
They haven't answered my question.  It's really disappointing because I waited for a consultation three separate times.  And it looks likes I might need to find another surgeon.
I will let you know there response.
Thanks Ashley

Just did a quick search on this topic, there's plenty more

Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/business/dealbook/arbitration-everywhere-stacking-the-deck-of-justice.html?_r=0

Arbitration
http://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers/arbitration

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this is not the new norm or that its been included in the language of other things in the past.

Also, IMHO, the Crane, Satterwhite, et al office is pretty sophisticated. They seem to be very well organized.    Satterwhite was my first choice for GRS but I could not talk them into taking Medicare.  :-(

I have heard of this, it must be a new thing with their practice, I didn't sign anything before my consultation, tho I'm sure I'll have to when I arrive for the procedure itself. I've also heard of surgeons requiring a nondisclosure.

You have to sign off a lot of releases for the simplest medical work these days. I wouldn't fuss over it.

Quote from: Gail20 on March 15, 2017, 07:33:32 PM
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this is not the new norm or that its been included in the language of other things in the past.

Also, IMHO, the Crane, Satterwhite, et al office is pretty sophisticated. They seem to be very well organized.    Satterwhite was my first choice for GRS but I could not talk them into taking Medicare.  :-(

I don't want to hijack this thread, but as I have Medicare as well, I'm wondering if you've run into any surgeons who are accepting Medicare?

Thanks!

Update
I talked to the office more about this yesterday afternoon. The reason it was kind of just given to me at the last minute is I switched from in person consult to phone. They said this is the only way of business for Dr Wittenberg.  They ask before the consultation, so there is no wasting everyone's time if you choose not to.  I was told I can switch to Dr Satterwhite but consultation time has dramatically increased 4-5 and scheduling surgery 1 1/2 years out.  But was also warned that if I do switch don't be surprised if Dr Satterwhite is requiring this at that time. Sounds like this is just the new way of business. Thanks  Ashley

The surgeons with the most experience are booked solid because they're good.  They don't want to take Medicare patients because Medicare pays less. Also, if they accept just one Medicare patient they are the required to except all in the future.

So look to the surgeons associated with University programs where the University is already taking Medicare and familiar with it. . . University of Michigan takes Medicare

This <strikes me as> unethical. I'd stay well clear.

Moderator Edit: Edited to remove both suggestion that a belief is fact and remove a potentially libelous statement.

From the people I have talked too about this and little bit of research.  This is standard in California if not mandatory.  The research I did come across.   I read it was for pretty much everything banking, employment, and surgeries.

AnonyMS that's quite a stretch. The surgeon you're dissing specializes in less invasive and robotic surgery and has more accolades than any surgeon I've known and I know a lot of top surgeons.

Business practices <that look unethical to me>, always worry me and I see very little public history of SRS to go on.

Moderator Edit: Edited to make a declarative statement more of a perspective statement.

Your surgeons have a very good history. I wouldn't be overly concerned. It's just that this trend is disconcerting. Until consumers start to read what they sign and then say "hell no" on top of it, I feel the trend will continue. I mean, who doesn't want to protect themselves from their own incompetence or responsibility?

I received the packet with all my pre-op instructions and things to sign and return before surgery with Wittenberg in 4 weeks and there was nothing about arbitration.

Hi Sadie, I dont know if this new? But I had my consultation with her last week. I had a phone consultation. I really emjoyed talking to her. She was real detailed. Went over everything and aswered all my questions. I am going with her just waiting on my date.  Please let me know how it goes with you. Ashley

Yes, you can bet I'll be posting pre and post surgery, less than 4 weeks out now. Your consult discussion with her maps mine exactly, glad to hear it's going well.

Here's a tip for that practice, the email you're supposed to get soon after your consult was never sent to me and while I did keep after them for a date, it wound up taking over 2 months to get my date set. So I suggest be proactive and at the 2 week mark be clear that you're ready to proceed and want to get your date settled.

Great news , glad to hear it!