To BLIS or Not-To-BLIS, that is the question...

With my VSG surgery just around the corner, I'm battling the decision with opting for BLIS coverage or not.  I'm an overall healthy gal and really do not anticipate complications -- but honestly, does anybody ever truly anticipate problems?  This surgery is a sacrifice for my family and I'm just trying to weigh all the pros and cons.  I don't have 1500 bucks to "waste", but I realize one slight hurdle could equate to ten times that amount.

What are your thoughts?

Is that the insurance that you get that covers you for one year if anything happens?  If so I thought it automatically was in the price of surgery.  If it is for a lifetime, I guess I would have to go with it. 

Jacqueline
down 65 lbs 19 of which has been in the last month.

the way BLIS is supposed to work is that every cash pay patient a surgeon operates on has to use BLIS. It isn't the kind of thing you can choose or not chose. If the surgeon signs up you are supposed to take it and pay for it. I understand that BLIS does not provide coverage forever, it may be 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on what package the surgeon signed up for and it may only cover certain things, like leaks but not blood clots, etc. I have looked at this in detail, looking up the published complication rates, and feel that BLIS is very expensive for what you get. Of course, insurance companies make money by spending less than they take in.

Has something change to where you can opt not or to take the BLIS coverage?

I'm going to go back and read, and re-read, my entire information packet on this subject.  It is my current belief that it is an optional "add-on" with my WLS group and that it indeed only covers certain complications.  When viewing the VSG category on the BLIS site, minimal cases have been reported as problematic.  

Decisions, decisions.... 

I rarely post but read almost every day.  I don't understand this unsurance myself.  When you self pay you have no choice but to take it?  What does the surgeon get out of this?   When I told my SIL about this (she is having surgery, self pay.) she said it was never mentioned to her.  Is this something she should ask about?  Or is this something this group makes money selling? 

I went to a seminar that Dr. Oldham had back in 2008, just prior to my surgery with BBSA and he explained it as something that they automatically have, at that time.  Of course that $500 program fee they have is nothing more than padding their pockets, it doesn't do a thing for you and you get nothing from it.  I am thankful to Dr. Weiss for my surgery, but I am certainly much more happy since I changed doctors and actually have a doctor do my follow ups. 

Jacqueline

Hey Kgb. I am too will be going self pay,and when i spoke to a specialist, she informed me you do not have to have coverage,it is up to you. Blis is like a warranty if something happens and you have complications that can opt to have cover or not. I would call kimbliss if I were you and she can thoroughly explain it to you better, and answer any questions you may have. She helped me greatly in this process. Her number is 1-775-685-6475. Hope this helps. Hope everything works out.

Thanks much!

it sounds like things have changed. I am pretty sure that BLIS used to be a thing that a self-pay patient was forced to take if the surgeon participated. That is a much better deal that the patient can customize their insurance/costs to meet their needs.

Do you know if it would cover gall bladder surgery post WLS? I didn't find out until after my gall bladder went capput 2 months post-op that it is quite common for most people to have to have their gall bladder out post WLS. Something to check out.

Amanda