Patients considering plastic surgery need information about various payment options and have questions about their potential insurance benefits. Dr. Casso's staff is readily available to discuss these issues and to provide the necessary information. Our staff specializes in this area and will use our expertise to help obtain the maximum benefits from health insurance policies, where applicable.

Fees for plastic surgery which is purely cosmetic in nature are payable prior to surgery. Payment may be made in cash, check, cashier's check, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Fees quoted represent a discount for pre-payment, and this is contingent upon receipt of full payment prior to surgery.

In addition, financing services with attractive terms are available. Please allow Dr. Casso's staff to assist you in qualifying for these services. As these fees are not pre-paid, pre-payment discounts do not apply, and slightly higher standard fees will be quoted. If you like, you may contact Care Credit, to see if you qualify.

If you wish, you may make a single payment to Dr. Casso, who will then distribute payments to the hospital and anesthesiologist, but please note that Dr. Casso is an independent provider of medical care, as are the hospital, anesthesiologist, and other providers of equipment and services necessary for your surgery.

The benefits paid by insurance companies for plastic surgery vary greatly from carrier to carrier. In general, surgery which is performed purely for cosmetic reasons (e.g. face lift or breast augmentation) is not covered. However, surgery performed for functional or reconstructive purposes (e.g. breast reconstruction, breast reduction, or nasal septal surgery) is often covered by insurance. We will make every effort to determine in advance if insurance coverage exists. Due to insurance company backlogs, this process can be time consuming (six to eight weeks or more), but we believe that patients are entitled to be as fully informed as possible prior to surgery.

Dr. Casso, as well as CHRISTUS ST. JOHN HOSPITAL and its anesthesiologists, are participating providers on many insurance plans. Please address specific coverage issues with Dr. Casso's staff, who will be happy to discuss them with you.

Fees quoted include all pre- and post-operative visits for normal uncomplicated care. Pre-surgical lab tests include a basic hemogram blood testing and pregnancy test, if appropriate. These charges are included in fees which are quoted pre-operatively. If an EKG, chest x-ray, or additional lab work are deemed medically necessary, associated costs will be billed separately. Insurance coverage may or may not apply for this testing. Patients typically do receive a bill post-operatively from the pathologist regarding laboratory interpretation (approximate cost, $12).

As prescription medication needs vary from patient to patient, they are a separate expense and are not included in quoted fees.

Please complete and submit our Request Form or visit www.drcasso.com for fees associated with the specific procedures.