Does ANYONE know of ANY financial help, scholarship, better payment plans ETC... ANY...

Does ANYONE know of ANY financial help, scholarship, better payment plans ETC... ANY KIND OF HELP! I have a friend who is scheduled for open RNY by Dr. Baker on July 27th. This is the problem $ of course LOL. He has Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas and they will ONLY pay up to $4,000 max. He has to have $2,000 for Dr. Baker on the 21st,and $3,000 to Baptist Hospital, then make payments to the hospital I guess for life LOL. He has tried for help with Baptist but was denied because he is of working age. We tried Arkansas rehab but did not meet the criteria his BMI is only 43. So we are stuck. He really needs this surgery as his quality of life is getting worse his knees as so bad he can't get knee replacements because of his weight so I guess you can say this is a catch 22. I figured someone out there might know of something or have ideas. He was denied capital one cosmetic credit so that is out. OH, he has a credit card that can handle the total of $5,000 Thank you, Janine

Does he have a retirement fund he can raid? They will give hardship loan from 401k's. The surgery is tax deductible. So if he were to borrow the money and claim it on his taxes, he would be able to repay it within the year. I wish him luck. PS the self pay rates at St. Vincents were slightly lower than Baptist (but I don't think they take payments.) Dawna

There is a place in Fayetteville that will help pay for the surgery. But I can not remember the name of it for the life of me. Maybe if you call the DHS they might know the name. This place also helps out with other medical problems. Sorry I can't remember the name.