Insurance and Paying deductible BEFORE surgery?

I am just wondering is this normal.  I had a call from the hospital where my surgery will be (Lutheran).  They went over with me what my insurance would pay.  I have a $3000 deductible but I have an HSA account which has $2000.  That would go towards my deductible and then the $1000 would be my responsibility.  Also she said the supplements, vitamins and liquid diet would be $840.  This brings my total to $1840.  (Insurance pays 90% after deductible is meant, so I will have that  10% to pay also).  She then proceeded to tell me that this would have to be paid BEFORE surgery. (Which is February 24th)  She wanted my credit card number right then.  I said I'd call back later.  I don't know if I can come up with that kind of money so fast.  I was hoping to make payments.  Now I don't know if I went through all this for nothing, because this hurdle might be one I can't get over.

Each case if different and I was at Clarian, but I was told I'd have to pay my deductable priior to surgery and was given an amount that just burst my bubble.  However, I just plodded right along until the surgery came and went and then about 30 days later I got a "bill" in the mail.  It showed what the insurance paid and what the agreed costs were and I didn't owe a dime.

You should be able to pay the HSA portion and set the rest up for payments.  Between your HSA and the insurance, they are getting the majority of the money right away.  They shouldn't have a problem setting up a payment plan for the rest.  Also, as far as the supplements, vitamins, etc.  I purchased all that on my own and it was not nearly that much money.

Im sorry your having trouble.
I bought my vitamins and stuff on my own not thru a program.
I can honestly say that it is alot of money to try to come up with,but it is money well spent.
You get your health and your life back and to me that is priceless.
I wish you well sweetie and do you get a tax return that might help out?
Hopefully some of the others will have some ideas for you.
Good luck

I totally understand where you are coming from on that.  Do you know Paula?  She recently had her surgery there.  You might talk to her about it.  Is St. Vincent's a part of your insurance coverage?  They have been great to me.  And didn't ask for more than a couple hundred before surgery.  Maybe you can switch if that is a solution to the problem.  I know its a long trip for you but I was in with a couple of girls for South Bend who came all that way for the same type of reason.

Don't give up.  I know you must be disappointed.

Good luck to you!

Huge hugs,
Tracy

Joann,

I'd call them and see if you can use your HSA card for $2000 and make payments on the remaining bill.  They should be willing to work with you.  You not out anything but a phone call. 

On a side note, your vitamins, supplements etc may NOT be covered by your health insurance.  I'd check with them on that you may have to pay the entire price for that stuff.

Frankie

My goodness! $840 for supplements and vitamins? That seems like an enormous amount of money for that. I follow the St. V regimin of chewable vitamins and calcium, and have never been deficient. It's also never cost me near that much.

I can't say much about the deductible part though. I was lucky enough to have had my RNY at the end of the year, and had met my deductible by then. I would try to work out a payment plan with them, though.

Joanne,  I delt with this lady also,  I guess she is good at her job--collecting money.  My surgery was 100% payed for by my ins but she still waited money just incase so I paid 1,ooo out of our HSA.  So I guess I have a running balance.  I know some of the girls that I am in group with have set up payments--one girl mentioned she is paying 50.00 per month for the rest of her life.....  Don't let this women discourage you..talk to the girls in Dr. Sloans office they will help you.....

Dr. Sloan's program is different he has you on Optifast 3-4 weeks before surgery.  It shrinks everything--plus I lost 50 lbs. before surgery.  He also has suppliments..that you can purchase or not.  When this woman called me I spazed and said Let me think about it.  I had my husband call her back she is very pushy--like I said "good at her job".  It is like one more hoop..  Please Joann don't let her discourage you....

Thank you Paula.  I will call her back.  I might talk to the office girls on Tuesday when I'm there first to see what they say.

Thanks again!

We have a CareCredit card for medical purposes.  It is a low interest credit card for medical bills.  You might want to check into that, I think you can do one year interest free.

Jeannie