Good Sam or CPMC (NorCal)

I tried to post this earlier but somehow it ended up on the main board -- where it promptly dropped to page 5 million or so.

Does anyone have an experience with Good Sam in San Jose or California Pacific Medical Center in SF? The surgeons I'm looking at operate out of both and I don't know a thing about either of them.

CPMC.  especially if you are a BC member.  There is some bad juju going on right now between BC and Good Sam.  Dont get stuck in the middle if you can help it.  However, it is possible that CPMC is cheaper than GoodSam if you are self pay or have a higher co-ins. %.  HTH - D2K

CPMC took such good care of me from the time I checked in until I was wheeled to the shuttle to the hotel.  I can't say enough good about them.  They have a bariatric program and are well set up for anything you might need.  The anesthesiologist was great, the nursing staff was great.  Absolutely a top notch operation.

---jan---

4 days out and still no pain or soreness.

Yeah, I heard about the Good Sam thing. I'm self-pay but it was a turn off. I'm trying to be fair though especially since it doesn't affect me.

Though I just realized... there are about a dozen LapSF patients who didn't get surgery this month, and won't be rescheduled until Aug. or Sept (as rumor would have it) they will all be trying to get surgery when *I* want it.

Sounds like something to be avoided even if the hospital is good.

 Yep, about 15 patients delayed from July and 20-25 more patients with newer approvals.  We are all fighting for the 2 days still available in Aug and whatever becomes available for Sept.  However, with your cash in hand, you have some negotiating power.  If you want GS, for some reason like $$, ask what you can do to get an earlier date.  I bet they like not having to wait for the insuro-crats to get around to sending their $$.  

I went to one of the LapSF seminars last night and they said the self-pay price is cheaper at CPMC so it looks like that's where I'm going. Plus, I was reminded how much I hate, hate, hate having take 85 during rush hour -- which appears to last 24/7.

Up until last night I wasn't completely decided on who my surgeon would be so things like that didn't necessarily matter as each practice does things a little bit differently.