SURGERY CENTER AT COTTONWOOD LLC

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Nicole Sutorius

⚠️ Important Warning: Hidden Out-of-Network Costs at The Surgery Center at Cottonwood I want to share my experience to help others avoid a costly and frustrating situation. I chose Dr. Larsen for my surgery specifically because he is listed as In-Network with my insurance provider. I have absolutely no complaints about the care I received—Dr. Larsen and his staff were excellent in every clinical aspect. However, the way the surgery was handled from an insurance and billing standpoint was deeply problematic. After it was determined I needed surgery, I met with a staff member to schedule it. I was advised to book it 3–4 weeks out due to my insurance’s slow approval process. I was told they would notify me if there were any issues. No one ever mentioned that the Surgery Center at Cottonwood—where the procedure would take place—was Out-of-Network. In fact, I wasn’t even told where the surgery would be performed until one week before. A week prior, I received a call from the Surgery Center’s Billing Department informing me I’d need to pay a specific amount on the day of surgery. When I asked why it was so high, I was told I hadn’t met my deductible. That explanation seemed reasonable, so I didn’t question it further. Crucially, I was never told this was my Out-of-Network deductible. On the day of surgery, I was handed multiple forms to sign. One disclosed that Dr. Larsen is part-owner of the Surgery Center—standard for conflict-of-interest transparency. But nowhere did I see a clear indication that the facility was Out-of-Network. Two months later, I discovered the claim had been processed as Out-of-Network. I was shocked. I contacted my insurance company, who confirmed that the Surgery Center at Cottonwood is not in-network. I then reached out to Dr. Larsen’s office, thinking the claim had been submitted incorrectly. They informed me that Dr. Larsen performs most of his surgeries at that center and that I should have been told this beforehand. They referred me to the Surgery Center. This was especially surprising because Dr. Larsen’s office had assured me they would handle the pre-approval. Clearly, they did not. When I called the Surgery Center, they said most insurance companies consider them Out-of-Network and that I should have been informed during the billing call. They also claimed I signed a form acknowledging this. I asked to see the form. Apparently, one page listed my insurance info with the acronym “OON” next to it—meaning “Out-of-Network.” I didn’t notice it, nor would I have understood what it meant. I was told to contact the Billing Department to resolve the issue. When I did, I explained that I was never clearly informed. Their response? “It shouldn’t matter if it’s in or out of network—we adjust our billing to match In-Network rates.” That may work for some, but not for me. Had this been billed In-Network, I would have met my Out-of-Pocket Maximum, and subsequent medical expenses for my family would have been fully covered. Instead, I’m now facing over $5,000 in costs that should have been avoided. I was never given a choice of where my surgery would be performed, nor was I informed that the facility was Out-of-Network—despite both the doctor’s office and the Surgery Center knowing this. That’s not just a miscommunication—it’s unethical. I’m currently filing an appeal with my insurance company, though I expect it will be denied since they followed protocol. The fault lies squarely with the doctor’s office and the Surgery Center. I’m sharing this so others don’t fall into the same trap. Always double-check not just your doctor’s network status, but also the facility where your procedure will take place. Ask explicitly. Get it in writing. Don’t assume anything.

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Jacob Brotherson

With so many places to have your surgery/procedures done. Run from this place. I was told my shoulder surgery would be around $40K. When everything was said and done. I received a bill from this place for $90,080.92 Plus a separate bill from the surgeon for $24,000 (fair) and $4,800 for the anesthesia. The average cost for my surgery in Utah is around $38K for the exact procedure. So take it from me and my horrible experience and go somewhere else!

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Bond

Please guys review all the sheet and make sure this is in your network. Ask your doctor to do surgery somewhere else If you don’t want to be in debt. This one will charge you a lot. 3 to 4 times more for a normal in-network operation room. Please be aware of this!

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Ty Ven

They are corrupt. They will charge you one amount in the beginning and say that if you pay in full before the surgery it is discounted. They will then wait a year and send a gigantic bill to your insurance after the fact. They waited 11 months and sent me a bill for more than my original payment. This all screwed up our deductible and out of pocket with insurance. Absolutely corrupt

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Debra Fleisch

While the care was good, the insurance is a nightmare. They exorbitantly overcharge and then keep appealing the claims, I would choose a different facility if at all possible. They never disclosed that they were not in network, and the bill was outrageous. As I stated the people that work there are great but the billing and pricing is something to stay far away from.