Inflatable Penile Implant: Procedure Details

The First Step

The first step when considering this treatment option is to make sure that you are a candidate for the procedure. This is determined in the initial consultation with Dr. Eid. For patients that reside out of state, it is possible to have this consultation over the phone provided that the patient history questionnaire (this can be found in this site) is completed in advance, before the consultation. Click here to learn more about the phone consultation. Prior to your consultation, Dr. Eid will review your completed patient history questionnaire and most likely you will need to answer a few additional questions. You will have ample time to ask as many questions as you have without time constraint.  

A brochure on the Internal Penile Pump is available through our office and should be read by all patients considering this treatment option.  We request that you do this prior to the initial consultation in order to obtain the maximum benefit from the initial discussion. A list of implanted patient’ s phone number will be made available to you should you find it helpful to speak to someone who has undergone the procedure.  

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Logistics

The procedure is performed either at the New York-Presbyterian, Lenox Hill Hospital or the Center for Specialty Care for out of state residents. Our staff will determine which institution is more likely to participate with your insurance plan in order to minimize your out of pocket expenses. Patients need to arrive the day prior to the procedure for a meeting with Dr. Eid. The office is a 40-60 minute cab ride from LaGuardia Airport (an hour and a half from JFK or Newark Airport). A list of hotels is provided with the initial information packet and on this web site. A reservation for three nights is recommended. If the procedure is performed at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital or Lenox Hill, patients with Medicare as their primary insurance carrier will have an overnight stay in the hospital. All other major insurances will not require an overnight stay. A packet of information, which includes a patient health questionnaire, informed consent form, a list of patients who have undergone the IPP procedure, and pre- and post-operative instructions, and prescriptions are provided in advance in order to better prepare you for the procedure. Blood tests, urine analysis, EKG and chest X-rays can be performed in you local area and forwarded to us in advance. A routine medical clearance note form an primary care physician, internist or cardiologist is required for all patients who take a medication.  

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Pre-Operative Instructions

It is important that patients do not eat or drink anything, including water, after 12:00 midnight on the day before surgery, nor the day of the surgery except for your medications. You should take all of your regular medications except for blood thinners with a small sip of water the morning of the procedure.  

Patients must not take aspirin or any products that contain aspirin for up to one week prior to the surgery. Products that contain aspirin include Ecotrin, Anacin, Bufferin, and Advil.
If the procedure is being performed at The Center for Specialty Care, then it is suggested that you arrive no later than one hour and thirty minutes before your scheduled time.

It is also important that you make arrangements before the surgery to have a friend help escort you to your home or hotel after the procedure. If you do not have a person to take you home, we will contact a nursing service for you that can provide a companion for a nominal fee.

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The Post-Operative Course

After the procedure, it is common for bruises and swelling of the scrotum to occur. With several warm baths per day, beginning on the third day after the procedure, swelling slowly disappears over a 7 to 14 day period. As healing occurs and swelling disappears, the pain will gradually subside.  

During the first 48 hours, it is required that activity is kept to a minimum. The first two days should be spent resting in bed, that means flat on your back gentlemen, though it is suggested that you take three walks a day, for 15 minutes per walk. On the third day after the procedure, you can begin light to moderate activity, and increase your schedule, as you feel better. You may return to work at your discretion, and it is common for patients to return to work 1 week after the procedure.

There are no diet restrictions following the procedure. However, balanced meals that promote tissue healing, such as lean meats, green and yellow vegetables, citrus fruits, dairy products, and whole wheat breads and grains, are recommended. Diabetic patients may return to the pre-operative recommended ADA diet.   

During your pre-op visit, you will receive several prescriptions that should be filled prior to the procedure. Pain medication should be taken as needed to provide comfort; it is common for pain to increase briefly 3-5 days after the procedure as your activity increases. Moderate to light pain and discomfort will persist for the next two weeks and a gradual improvement needs to occur. If pain persists without improvement, please call us. A mild laxative may also be needed, as constipation can occur due to the pain medication. You should resume your normal medicinal regimen as soon as you return home unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Eid.  

Stitches are removed 7-10 days after the procedure. At the end of this first post-operative visit, you will be given an appointment in 2-4 weeks for instruction on the proper use of the pump. You should be able to resume normal sexual activity at 3 to 8 weeks after the procedure.   

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Cost Analysis

Advanced Urological Care participates with the following Insurances:

1)    Medicare
2)    GHI
3)    HIP Prime POS, PPO, EPO

Depending on the plan, a co-payment might be required at the time of the consultation visit.

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Procedure Costs

If you are a suitable candidate for the procedure, the cost factor will depend on the Insurance that you carry.

a) MEDICARE:

Our center, Advanced Urological Care participates with Medicare. The procedure will take place either at New York Hospital or Lenox Hill, which both participates with Medicare.

Our contract with Medicare stipulates that the Physicians fee is $1,660.00. If you do not have secondary Insurance, Medicare will pay us 80% of that amount and you will be responsible for 20% ($265.00). The secondary insurance will pick up the 20% balance.

Medicare also covers the Hospital costs, related to the procedure. Medicare will pay the hospital 80% of the Medicare allowable amount. The patient or the secondary insurance, if available is responsible for the remaining 20%.

Disclaimer: All costs are subject to change according to Medicare Fee Schedule, which varies from state to state.

b) GHI, Blue Cross/Blue Shield & HIP

A pre-certification is required which is performed by our staff prior to scheduling. You will want to contact your carrier directly to determine the out of pocket expense you might incur regarding your deductible and co-payment. Every plan varies according to the contract. In order to assist you with the cost determination, we provide you with a letter of Medical Necessity, which includes the procedure codes so that you are able to contact the carrier to determine the exact cost expense.

Whether the procedure takes place at the center or at the New York Hospital, the patient is treated as an outpatient.

Out of network insurance policy:

The cost factor fluctuates with different variables. For plans, which are out of network, at the time of the first consultation, the office requires an upfront payment of $375. The Insurance Company will normally reimburse the participant by 80% of your company’s maximum allowable fee and according to your contract.

Fee for service is as follows (For outpatient facility only)
The cost of the procedure will be an accumulated amount representing several different groups.

The breakdown is as follows:

a) 2 Hour OR and RR Fee is $1980.00*
b) The Penile Prosthesis device is $7990.00
c) Admin Fee is $500.00
d) Mobile Anesthesia is $1,000.00*
e) Dr. Eid’s Surgical Fee is $14,500.00

*Fees apply to a maximum 2 hours procedure time. All fees are subject to change. Please contact the office directly for more information.

The Surgery Center (Center for Specialty Care) accepts most Insurance plans (e.g., Humana, BC/BS, GHI, 1199). In order to assist you with the cost determination, we will provide you with a letter of Medical Necessity, which includes the Procedure codes so that you are able to contact the carrier to determine the exact cost and expense. This letter will also enable you to find out what percent of the Urologists fee is covered by your Insurance. The Surgery Center has a specialist to further assist you with the determination of your expenses. Should you need the assistance, the staff at AUC will make that referral as needed.

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