FrankTalk.org

This is shaping up to be the year I pull the trigger. However, because of insurance reasons, I don't know when the date would be, but I may need to move quickly once the time comes.

With that in mind, I feel like it's time to stop sitting around doing copious amounts of research, and start taking action. So, what would you say are all the actions I need to take, up to that one phone call where I schedule the date of the surgery?

1) Decide on the doctor and type of implant

2) Call their office and... what? Talk to the billing people? Talk to the doctor? Introduce myself and explain that I've decided to get an implant some time this year, but not exactly sure when yet?

3) Call Blue Cross Blue Shield and ask to get it pre-approved? Not sure if this is a good idea, or how likely it is to work. Some folks here report that some companies only approve them as a "last resort." While I've tried both tadalafil and highest-dosage sildenafil to no avail, I've never tried penis pumps or injections... nor do I have any interest to try them, nor a partner to try them with at the moment.

4) Anything else that needs to be done before calling to schedule the surgery, or is that the gist of it?

Use a VED for months to treat or heal any fibrosis from ED or other causes because this will allow the surgeon to fit you with an implant size that best meets your real, natural erection, just like you were as a horny 22 year old.

Have you seen a specialist? They told you that you need an implant? Do you know what has caused your ED? You will need to go to a specialist first and they will go to your insurance company for approval. I think you could call and ask your insurance company if they cover implants, I know I have read on this site that not all insurance companies cover it.

I'm definitely getting an implant, one way or another. To answer your questions though, I saw a urologist back in 2021, but we didn't discuss implants. He prescribed me pills, and I tried both tadalafil and up to the highest dosage of sildenafil, to no effect. I've always suspected my porn addiction in my younger years caused my ED, but that may be wrong, because I only had mild ED the first ~3 years of abstaining from porn, and then on the 4th year of abstinence it became severe for some reason. So I don't know.

Anyway, thanks, good idea to call the insurance company first. I already read through the plan's list of exclusions and such, but it wasn't super clear. A lot of folks report that insurance companies only approve it when it's a "last resort," so I may end up having to pay cash anyway. I haven't tried penis pumps, and the urologist I saw was in Brazil, so my ED isn't documented in the system here in the US. Though I suppose I could theoretically call his office and ask to send my history to my surgeon's office.

Good luck to you, I would definitely see a specialist, I would look for centers of excellence with a specialist that is close to you. Good luck and keep us updated...