Kaiser co-payment HELP!

I had heard that Kaiser can only charge you whatever your out of pocket max is but I have also heard that is not true. Does anyone have Kaiser that has already had thier surgery verify what they ended up having to pay. My surgery is in May and want to be prepared. Thanks,

This could be true, however Out of Pocket Max only includes certain types of visits, this may or may not include WLS.  Since WLS is more of an elective surgery (at least by insurance standards) it may not fall under the Out of Pocket Max benefit.  If you have  your EOC (contract that is sent to you about a month or so after open enrollment is done)  It should detail this information for you.  I hope this helps. Jen

Kaiser doesn't apply your max out of pocket to WLS,  With my plan I had to pay 30% of the total and, no one seems to know exactly how much that is....I had to pay $2700 for the hospital (upfront or set up payments with them)  I still have to get a bill from Dr. Shae and the anesthesiologist.  I was told in the "Surgery Connections" class it will probably be $5-6,000.  For Gastric probably $7000 to $10,000 @30% co-pay.  Some lucky people have just their hospital co-pay.  I wish I would've known what company has the great insurance.  If you work for Qwest they have an exclusion in their health insurance that states WLS is an exclusion EVEN if medically necessary.  (JERKS)  I changed from United Health to Kaiser so I'd have a chance to get the surgery.  (Kaiser will do it anyway because they are interested in your health, we probably wouldn't have to pay as much to Kaiser if Qwest would've coughed up the extra $ for the benefit)  Call the Kaiser weight program in your area and ask them, you may be one of the lucky ones!  (Plus you could set up payments with the Dr.)

It depends on your Kaiser plan. I cancelled my Kaiser plan through my work because WLS was excluded, they didn't cover it all. I switched to my DH's Kaiser plan at his work and I will be paying the 30% co-pay. A coworker of his who had WLS a few mos ago with the same plan said her 30% was $5,000 something, I forget the exact number, but Kaiser will set up a payment plan for you for up to 5 yrs for that copayment

I have a Kaiser plan through my husband's employer (Lockheed-Martin).  I paid out $600 to the doc who put me under (can't spell anistesiologist LOL!) and am working on paying out about $5000 to Penrose hospital.  I think I also paid about $1000 or so to the assistant surgeon.  In any case, Penrose has me on a 2-year payment plan, no interest.  I believe my plan is an 80/20 plan.