Two questions...

Hi! I was just wondering if anyone who has paid a co-payment or their cost-share after insurance would'nt  mind sharing what their portion or cost-share was? I have Tricare Standard and the person in admitting said they would just send a bill after they bill my insurance.  I believe my cost share is 20%, but we also have a cap of $3000.00 out of pocket expense. I don't want to have heart failure while I am recovering!    My other question concerns the pre-admitting procedures at Yale.  I meet with Dr. Bell at 1pm, then go straight to admitting for paperwork and testing at 2pm.  They said to expect  to stay for 2-3 hours and said to bring all my medications and that I could drive myself to and from this appointment.  These are my only appointments before surgery on the 9th. Does anyone know what they want to do to me for 2-3 hours???   Thanks for any info.  Twelve days and counting!

hi diane, this is a great question, because some people think "its all covered" i paid out of pocket approx $2100, thats a combo of bills, docs and hospital etc, 3-4 weeks after surgery your mailbox will not be a fun place! but its worth it! i have Highmark Blue Shield for ins they paid 90% of sugery. good luck  marlena

Thanks, Marlena.  Happy New Year!

I have Aetna HMO, they paid 90% of the procedure, when it was all said and done this is what i had to pay: approx $550 ($300 something for the surgeon and the rest to the hospital).  This is just for the surgery, doesn't include what I paid in copays for visits and my NUT visits... or vitamins.

Hello, I paid out of pocket for my RNY procedure in 1995.  The insurance covered all procedures up to that point.. tests etc... I did "claim" my WLS on my taxes.... so keep anything that you pay out of pocket...You do have to hit a certain amount compared to your yearly income...so it's worth a shot to get some of the $$$$ back into your pocket when tax return time comes. Best wishes on your journey Mickey

Geez.... I've totally forgotten about that pre-op appointment.  Honestly I do remember going I just don't remember too much about it.  I think it was just standard stuff like blood work  and ekg and I believe we had to see the finance department.   They may have gone over all the post op instuctions and given me my post op pain med prescription on that visit too.   My insurance covered everything so I didn't have any out of pocket at all but Dr. Bell is salaried by the University so I don't believe there's any major fee for his services.    Wish I could help you more. 

Me again..... been racking my brain on this one.  I think I went to Dr. Bells office first where we went over post op instructions and any questions I had.  I'm pretty sure this is when he gives you the scrip for your post op pain meds so that you can get it filled before your surgery.  It's a HUGE bottle and the pharmacy had to order it for me so it took a few days to get it .  Then they send you over to the hospital for an ekg and bloodwork maybe and to see the finance department.   If you have out of pocket you'll get more info then.   Good luck, you are in great hands with Dr. Bell! Sue laprny 7/25/05 263/152 5'6"