Dr. Michael Howard Buch, MD

Dr. Buch was an assisting surgeon in my fusion surgery. I hired an orthopedic surgery who is in network. He hired Dr. Buch who is out of network to assist. I was notified by Dr. Buch’s office about this out of network situation on the Thursday prior to my 6am Monday surgery. I was told that I would have to pay $3500.00 out of pocket or I could find another surgeon who is in network. I live over 200 miles away from LA, location of surgery, and had 1 day to find a surgeon who would work with my primary surgeon AND was in network. The way my insurance explained it was that because he was hired by an in network doctor, Dr. Buch would be paid as if he were in network. I thought this would cover the entire bill which meant I would pay nothing. I have excellent dual coverage. Dr. Buch did reduce the amount but I still feel that he had over a month to notify me of the situation but chose to notify me 2 days before surgery(which is legal). I seriously question his billing practices. He is a… good surgeon. I had no complications which is why I rate him as good. If his billing was on the up and up I would probably give him a five.

Dr. Buch was an assisting surgeon in my fusion surgery. I hired an orthopedic surgery who is in network. He hired Dr. Buch who is out of network to assist. I was notified by Dr. Buch’s office about this out of network situation on the Thursday prior to my 6am Monday surgery. I was told that I would have to pay $3500.00 out of pocket or I could find another surgeon who is in network. I live over 200 miles away from LA, location of surgery, and had 1 day to find a surgeon who would work with my primary surgeon AND was in network. The way my insurance explained it was that because he was hired by an in network doctor, Dr. Buch would be paid as if he were in network. I thought this would cover the entire bill which meant I would pay nothing. I have excellent dual coverage. Dr. Buch did reduce the amount but I still feel that he had over a month to notify me of the situation but chose to notify me 2 days before surgery(which is legal). I seriously question his billing practices. He is a… good surgeon. I had no complications which is why I rate him as good. If his billing was on the up and up I would probably give him a five.

Very through