Concierge Pelvic Surgery, Insurance & Financing

The Practice Model

Concierge Care, Defined

At Advanced Pelvic Surgery and Urogynecology of Charlotte, concierge care is a premium surgical experience defined by direct physician access, unhurried consultations, meticulous planning and coordination, and individualized attention at every step.

There are no membership fees. No call centers. No triage systems. Every surgical patient receives a direct line of communication with Dr. Stepp's team — including personal post-operative contact — and priority surgical scheduling that is standard, not a premium add-on.

Direct Physician Access

All surgical patients receive a direct line of communication with Dr. Stepp's team, including personal post-operative contact. Physician referrals are welcomed at (980) 771-0726.

Unhurried Consultations

Consultations are scheduled for the time required to review your history, perform a detailed exam, and build a surgical plan. If your case requires a longer conversation, that time exists.

Planning & Coordination

Priority surgical scheduling is standard. Every detail — from pre-operative preparation through operative sequencing to post-operative follow-up — is coordinated around your needs, not a reimbursement schedule.

Individualized Attention

No required monthly or annual membership fees apply to this practice. Your surgical plan is built around your anatomy and clinical needs, with unrestricted access to regenerative adjuncts where appropriate — without pre-authorization delays.

Why This Model

Why APSU Uses an Out-of-Network Model

Insurance-driven systems allocate time with a surgeon as a finite, billable resource — by diagnosis code, not anatomical complexity. For advanced endometriosis, excision surgery, and pelvic reconstruction, that constraint is clinically unacceptable.

Operating outside insurance networks allows Dr. Stepp to determine surgical scope based on intraoperative findings rather than pre-authorized codes. Whether you present with advanced endometriosis, stress urinary incontinence, a complex pelvic floor defect, or an anatomical concern requiring aesthetic correction, the plan is built around your anatomy — not a reimbursement schedule.

Insurance mandates also constrain clinical decisions — from visit lengths to approved treatment protocols. This model removes those constraints so consultations are unhurried, operative sequences are determined by surgical necessity rather than insurer approval, and post-operative access is direct. For complex pelvic reconstruction and surgical artistry, the quality of outcome depends on the quality of time available — and this model protects that time.

Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits

Understanding Your Coverage

Advanced Pelvic Surgery and Urogynecology of Charlotte is an out-of-network practice. We do not bill insurance directly, and patients pay APSU-CLT according to the practice's payment policies.

Patients pay APSU-CLT according to the practice's payment policies
Reimbursement is possible only if your plan includes out-of-network (OON) benefits
Reimbursement amounts and eligibility are controlled entirely by your insurer
We provide itemized superbills and supporting documentation to assist with claim submission
Dr. Stepp does not participate with Medicare or Medicaid and has opted out of those programs

The Superbill Process

A superbill is a detailed, itemized medical receipt that includes the diagnostic and procedural codes needed to file an out-of-network insurance claim. When a surgical case involves medically necessary components — such as endometriosis, fibroids, Bartholin cysts, or pelvic prolapse — the superbill can be submitted to your insurer for potential reimbursement.

Important: A superbill or prior authorization request does not guarantee reimbursement. Your insurer determines all benefit decisions, including deductible applicability, coinsurance percentages, exclusions, and allowed rates.

Cosmetic or elective services are generally not covered by insurance. Medically necessary and elective components of a procedure may be treated differently by your plan.

Before Surgery

Payment Process & Financial Transparency

Following your initial consultation, you receive an itemized surgical quote that clarifies the expected components of your care:

Surgeon's Professional Fee

Dr. Stepp's fee for the surgical procedure.

Facility & Operating Room Costs

Surgical facility and operating room fees.

Anesthesia Services

Anesthesia services.

Post-Operative Care

Comprehensive post-operative care visits.

Payment is collected by the practice prior to surgery. Purely elective cosmetic procedures — such as aesthetic labiaplasty or labia majora augmentation — are not covered by commercial insurance and are not submitted for reimbursement. HSA and FSA eligibility varies by plan and should be confirmed with your administrator.

Payment Flexibility

Patient Financing Options

For patients who prefer to divide eligible expenses into scheduled payments, APSU-CLT provides access to several independent third-party financing options. Financing is optional and is separate from insurance coverage or reimbursement.

PatientFi

Explore PatientFi payment options for eligible services. Applications, eligibility decisions, available plans, and financing terms are managed directly by PatientFi.

Explore PatientFi

Cherry

Use Cherry's interactive payment calculator to explore estimated payments and available financing options. Applications, eligibility decisions, available plans, and financing terms are managed directly by Cherry.

Explore Cherry

CareCredit

CareCredit provides a healthcare credit card that may be used for eligible services, subject to approval and the applicable account terms.

Explore CareCredit

Third-party financing is optional and is not insurance. APSU-CLT does not determine financing approval, credit limits, interest rates, available plans, payment schedules, or repayment terms. Patients should review each provider's complete disclosures before accepting financing.

Common Questions

Concierge Care FAQ

Does APSU-CLT accept insurance?

APSU-CLT is an out-of-network practice and does not bill insurance directly. Patients pay APSU-CLT according to the practice's payment policies. Reimbursement is possible only if your plan includes out-of-network (OON) benefits. Dr. Stepp does not participate with Medicare or Medicaid and has opted out of those programs. We provide itemized superbills and supporting documentation to assist with claim submission, but all benefit decisions are made by your insurer.

Is reimbursement possible through out-of-network benefits?

Reimbursement is possible only if your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits. Reimbursement amounts, eligibility, and processes are controlled entirely by your insurer. APSU-CLT does not determine reimbursement — your plan's OON benefits, deductible, coinsurance, and exclusions do. We provide the documentation you need to submit a claim; your insurer makes the final decision.

What is an out-of-network benefit, and how does it apply?

An out-of-network benefit is a feature of some insurance plans that may provide coverage for services rendered by providers who do not participate in the plan's network. If your plan includes OON benefits, you may submit our superbill to your insurer for potential reimbursement. The amount your plan allows, your deductible, and coinsurance all affect what you ultimately receive. Review your plan's OON provisions or contact your insurer for specifics.

How does the superbill process work?

Does a superbill or prior authorization guarantee reimbursement?

No. A superbill or prior authorization request does not guarantee reimbursement. Your insurer determines all benefit decisions, including whether a service is covered under your plan's OON benefits, deductible applicability, coinsurance percentages, exclusions, and allowed rates. APSU-CLT cannot influence or promise reimbursement outcomes.

Are cosmetic or elective procedures covered by insurance?

Cosmetic or purely elective services — such as aesthetic labiaplasty or labia majora augmentation — are generally not covered by commercial insurance and are not submitted for reimbursement. Medically necessary and elective components of a procedure may be treated differently by your plan. We recommend confirming coverage details with your insurer before your consultation.

When is payment due?

Payment is collected by the practice prior to surgery. Following your consultation, you receive an itemized surgical quote covering surgeon's professional fee, facility and operating-room costs, anesthesia services, and comprehensive postoperative-care visits. Payment timing and terms are discussed during the scheduling process. For patients who prefer to divide eligible expenses into scheduled payments, third-party financing options are available.

What financing options are available?

APSU-CLT provides access to three independent third-party financing options: PatientFi, Cherry, and CareCredit. Each manages its own applications, eligibility decisions, available plans, and financing terms. Financing is optional and separate from insurance coverage or reimbursement.

How does financing differ from insurance?

Insurance is a benefit provided by your health plan that may cover medically necessary services, subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and exclusions. Financing is a payment arrangement through an independent third-party provider that allows you to divide eligible expenses into scheduled payments. Financing is not insurance, does not determine reimbursement, and creates a separate financial obligation regardless of any later insurer reimbursement.

Concierge Care, Insurance
& Financing