Baptist Medical Center - what was your self-pay cost for BMC only?

I'm asking because my aunt paid approximately $16,500 for her entire procedure, including Dr. Baker's fees (which were around $5000 if memory serves).  She was a self-pay. Dr. Baker has already billed my insurance and his fee was pretty much the same for my insurance as it was for my aunt's self-pay bill. However, Baptist Medical Center, instead of charging me the $11,500 that they charged my aunt for her open RNY, billed my insurance over $27,000 (for their part only). I didn't think it was legal to bill insurance for more than you really charge for a procedure.  I thought that that was insurance fraud. So, for those of you that self-payed out there recently, what did BMC charge you?

Wendy, I didn't self-pay, but BMC charged my insurance over $28,000...they were only paid $7000.  They will always charge insurance more than self-pay because they know they will only receive a portion of what they charge.  They enter into an agreement with the insurance companies, then the insurance company will decide what they think are justifiable charges and pay that amount only. Its not insurance fraud, although it should be...they can justify every charge even if it does seem like a ridiculous amount.  If your aunt didn't have insurance that's why they charged her a lesser amount than those with insurance. Hope that made sense!

Since this post, I have called BMC.  The patient accounts representative I spoke with swears that they charge the same amount for patients with insurance as they do for patients without insurance.  She stated that to do otherwise WOULD be insurance fraud.  I requested an itemized statement of charges and will ask my aunt (who had it also but self-paid) to do the same.   I have also since called my insurance.  I am only $70 away from meeting my out of pocket maximum for the year, so no matter what the insurance pays, I will only owe $70.  (Big relief!)

I work in insurance (not health insurance claims, mind you)  and this always happens. Like if you go to a body shop to have a chip repaired in your windshield.  If you're paying it yourself, most shops charge $30-50.  If you file it on your insurance, the shop bills the insurance company $60-$100.  (FOR THE SAME REPAIR).

HI I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW YOU LIKE THE LAP BAND .  ANY REGRETS?  DO YOU EVER WISHED YOU WOULD HAVE GONE ON AND HAD THE RNY.  WHAT IS THE WORST PART OF LAP BAND SO FAR?   I'M WAITING FOR MY PAPER WORK AND ONE WEEK ITS LAP BAND THE NEXT WEEK ITS RNY ABOUT TO THE POINT TO PUT IT IN A HAT AND DRAW!!!!!!!!!  THANKS FOR THE HELP  OBESE 1954   

I had open RNY in April of this year. I paid cash and it fell as follows: Dr. Gibbs.........4,000.00    Gallbladder    removal...........800.00 extra Baptist Med...11,000.00 Anesthesia......1,100.00    added    epiderrual.......650.00 extra I also had my initial office visit with Dr. Gibbs, and a couple of pathology bills. Other than that, everything was included. I stayed in hospital (in a private room) for 6 days with numerous extra test and bloodwork everyday and have NEVER gotten a bill for anything else. the reason for the difference in self-pay and insurance is all "legal jargin". The insurance pays a  percentage of the "legal and customary charges".  The key there is PERCENTAGE and CUSTOMARY. It is all legal and in the medical field, that is the way it is done. If you don't understand it , feel free to call the insurance commisioner's office and they will explain it to you better than I can. I am no expert but I hope that helps. Rhonda