Financing Surgery

I just joined this forum back in December. You guys are so encouraging and helpful. I found out that my insurance carrier, BCBS HMO through the State Merit sysyem (I work for the local BOE), will not cover the surgery at all. They have excluded it from their policy. So I am looking into financing the surgery. So my question is : Do you all have any suggestions on who to look at first? I would like to finance for as long as possible to keep my payments down. I have a son that is about to start college and I don't want to get into a financial bind and be unable to help him with classes. I would appreciate any and all advice.

Hi Angela, I also work for my local BOE as a teacher and had to self-pay. Cost here in Brunswick with Dr. Henderson and Kent was around $16,000. They give a discount to those who have to self-pay. The hosp. would finance part of their costs but we decided to take a second mortgage on our home. It's tax deductible. Good luck and if I can help, let me know. I was banded on Oct. 3, 2006 and have lost around 45 pounds. I would do it again in a heartbeat. LYNN

I've heard people on the boards saying CareCredit.com does financing and I think Capitalone.com has some medical financing programs. Try looking into these. Maybe you will find something that will work for you. Good luck! Tracy

I was three quarters finished with all of my prequalifying requirements when I was informed that my policy dropped coverage of the surgery....I was simultaneously stunned and euphoric.....Euphoric because I was so close to realizing my goals and stunned because, I had worked so hard to only find out that it may not happen.....The office manager at my surgeon's office suggested CapitolOne healthcare financing...I was approved immediately and was scheduled for surgery within two weeks. I also applied for an equity line mortgage which I did not touch until after the surgery. I paided off the healthcare financing with the lower rate equity line after I was sure that I was not going to experience any complications due to surgery...didn't want my house on the line if it became pricey and difficult to pay. All in all, I do not regret my decisions. Good luck on your journey! -karen-

I'm right there with you. None of the state merit plans include bariatric surgery anymore (hubby's ins). Neither does my insurance and I WORK FOR A HOSPITAL THAT IS A BARIATRIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE!!! So sad. However I am paying for part of mine through the medical flex spending. With DH & I both, we put back 8K. The nice part of this is that even though it is taken out each payperiod during the year, the total balance is available Jan 1. Unfortunately I was given an incorrect price for the surgery pkg (from the hosp) when I set it up and now have to come up with another 5K before I can have surgery. And that is with the hospital employee "discount". I was planning for surg first of Feb, but have put it off until March 22. I am planning to work an extra 20 hrs per week for the next 2 1/2 months to make up some of the difference & will put the remainder on Visa or try and get a Capital One loan for the balance. Good luck with your financing!! Jackie