Self-Pay Information

I've been approved by my insurace (BC/BS) but they only pay 50%, up to $4,000. If I use my insurance, I'd also have to wait until April. I've been checking into self-pay. (I'm very impatient!) Does anyone who paid cash have any idea how much your open RNY cost? I know that Dr. Luttrell, Dr. Gibbs and Dr. Baker are all roughly $15,000. Also, are there any discounts available for cash pay? The biggest bulk of the money seems to be going towards the hospital stay..has anyone had a situation where they were able to be billed for all or part of that or does it always have to be paid up front? Thanks in advance! -Lindsay

Mine cost roughly $15,000.00 initially but I had complications and exactly what is owed is still being ironed out. That price IS the discounted price. Arkansas has some of the lowest self-pay prices in the country. People come from all over because our prices are so reasonable. I strongly advise you to wait for your insurance because if you have complications they would more than likely have to cover it. I believe if you have the surgery done at Baptist the price includes up to seven days in the hospital, but St. Vincents only covers three to four days. That is if you self pay. All fees were required to be paid up front.. Please be patient and wait for insurance. Chances are you won't have serious complications but if you do you could be wiped out financially. Good luck! Erin

Hi there, I just did self pay and there are a few differences. The money had to be paid up front at St. Vincents. At Baptist I dont know, but i do know the charge was the same but they will keep you up to six days at Baptist, but they wont do that at St. Vincents. ST. Vincents will keep you up to three. I was also told that the staff was hand picked at St. Vincents for bariatric's, but i have found that very hard to believe. Dr. Luttrell, and Gibbs charge the same surgeon fee which is 3600.00 with out gall bladder removal. Dr. Baker started out at 4200.00 then additional for gall bladder. If i had to do it all over again I would have checked out Baptist more. St. Vincents is very clean. But the nurses leave alot to be desired. Just a side note Dr. Baker trained under Dr. Ozment whom i believe is the best in his field in this state, as did Luttrell and Gibbs. Check them both out i wish i would have done more research but I thought two years was plenty but still had no idea what St. Vincent's was like. I hope this helps. Angie

I was a self pay. I used Dr. Baker and Baptist. My surgery was just over $12,000. That was Dr., hospital and all. It was worth every penny. My insurance started covering the surgery a few months after mine was done. I'd do it again in a heart beat, even if I had to pay cash again. Lorinda beginning weight 360 lbs Weight lost so far-175 lbs 25 lbs to goal.

Thanks to everyone *****sponded! -Lindsay

Hi Lindsay I drove all the way to Little Rock and self-paid for my surgery. My total cost was 15-grand......quite a chunk of change......but about 10-15 thousand dollars cheaper than surgery here in St. Louis. Dr. Ozment performed my open-RNY at St. Vincents about 4 months ago and I'm already down 89 lbs! I had a wonderful experience at St. Vincents.......The hospital was VERY clean and the nursing staff on the bariatric floor was amazing. Dr. Ozment's surgical staff was kind and caring and made me feel at ease going into surgery. Hope this helps.....and good luck with your journey! Shelli