Required monies

Hey has anyone here had Lap Band through the Bariatric program at St. Mary's/Jewish in Louisville,Ky Dr's Lusco, Olsofka. If so could you give me a hint as to what your upfront costs were when you started the process and after surgery. I have Anthem/Medicare PPO and both docs on the Providers list. I know at the program at Nortons Hospital here it says you will be expected to pay 300.00, any co-payment, co-insurance and deductables at time of registration for their program   wow  that seems sorta steep to have to shell out ALL AT ONCE, can anyone help with this question??? I am sooo confused as to what to do.. Velma

   Um honey, If you think 300. is high, u DO NOT want to go to Jewish.. In 2007 I went to St. Mary's/ Jewish and you had to pay UPFRONT 4000.00 dollars.. Now I had health insurance that paid for the band, but they didnt like the fee's that insurance companies were paying so they got there fee upfront. They will file your insurance and reimburse you the amount that your insurance would have paid them but it wont be the 4000.00.. u need to make sure you keep that in perspective. ok?
    As for Norton's they have some great doctors and I really think you would have a great experience!!! Good Luck!!!
Dawn

Someone a few months ago was telling us about Sts. Mary & Elizabeth program and she stated that they required the $4000.00 up front before even seeing you for consultation with the exception of one particular type insurance coverage and then they waive it.  I have no idea what the name of that insurance was though.

Norton's initial OOP costs would be $300 to the bariatric group for the initial consults (this is not covered under insurance).  When the bariatric group forwards your packet to the surgical offices you also end up paying a $250 initial consult fee when you see the doctor.  This is reimbursed to you though IF you are approved for bariatric surgery from for insurance provider.  They credit your account and then deduct your co-pays from it until it runs out.

That being said, JEWISH has a kick ass aftercare program whereas Norton's is kinda lackluster....those of us that went through Norton's though have made sure we provide MASSIVE support to one another so we are blessed regardless.

Thank you Thank you for the info, is there absolutely no program that requires a big amt upfront and/or consult and the like here in Kentucky... I need knee surgery as well maybe I shold opt out have the knee thing and hope to get back to the weight thing at a later date, I am going to a simenar at Nortons on sat, is it worth my while to go...

   Hi. I didnt have to pay the 250 becca is talking about, so Im not sure about that one... Mine was done in sept  and I know Rich's was done after mine.. But I went directly thru the doc too.. I didnt deal with the bariatric center till I was approved??
    The Seminar's are free so go to as many as possible. to different doctors so you get a feel for the different doctors... Also Dr.Weiss and Dr. Oldham are working out of Baptisit East and I dont know if they use the Norton's center or not. You could check there. But the 300 you have to pay up front I know. good luck..
   Dawn

To keep it in perspective, in NKY the out of Pocket was 700$.  That is for all your nutrition classes, your psych eval, your fitness eval (if you choose to have one) and your pre-op sessions.  Insurance does not cover any of that.  Also, if you are denied, you will have to pay the 300$ consultation fee.  The 700$ must be paid before they even submit to insurance so you don't get it back.  However, they have a KICK A** program and post-op support group and care so to me, 700$ is well worth the expense.