The most devastating news

So, my surgery is scheduled for 02/01/2011 and I'm doing great with my liquid diet. Got my approval letter in the mail for my insurance company that I was approved and I called them to check on co-pay that increased from $500 to $1000, no big deal. Then all of a sudden my world changed. The insurance person told me that they only cover 50% of the surgery. I almost fell of my chair! I called them twice in 2010 to ask about it and I got it will cost co-pay $500 in 2010 and $1000 in 2011. 

What happened was that my employer changed the plan with BC BS in 2011 that ONLY for Bariatric Surgery they only cover 50%. I'm so upset and sad that this is happening. Now I can not afford my surgery.

Does anyone have any idea of the total price of the surgery. I know my surgeon charges about $3000-$4000, but I don't know how much the hospital bill will be.

I'm so want and need this surgery!

 I am so sorry for your situation.
More and more large self insured plans are either taking the bariatric surgery benefit away completely or choosing to pay less -  and they can.   At least you found out before surgery day.
If I was on the liquid diet already-  I would put it any charges on my Visa and figure out how to
pay for it later.  The hospital might ask for a down payment but you won't get any other bills until
after Blue Cross has paid their 50%. Are you expecting a TAX REFUND? That might take care of a big hunk. 
Call the hospital and find out if they expect a down payment and get an estimate on what the surgery will cost. They ususally verify what Blue Cross is going to pay prior to your admission. 
My guess is  about $15,000 with one night inpatient but it could be less.

Anyone you can borrow from?  You will be saving a lot of money on food the first year-  I had to give up diet coke and I figure I saved about $1,500 a year.

Where trhere is a will- there is a way.  If you have a stable job...go for it!   Good luck. 

That is just awful! Like the other person said, do whatever you can, put it on credit cards (if you have that option) and deal with it later. Could you maybe take out a personal loan, or yeah maybe a tax refund? The total for my surgery was about $43K. I wish you luck.

Heidi

 Oh man, I am so sorry about that!  At least you found out before you went into surgery so that you can make a decision.  Do your homework, get your facts and then make an educated decision.  I hope like hell it works out for you.

Tess

 Check and see if the 50% applies to the annual maximum out of pocket. If you have a $5000 out of pocket maximum, that may be the limit of your liability. So I would call them back and clarify that point. The hospital costs are steep. That is why many without coverage end up going to foreign surgeons.

That really sucks.....

Mine was $48,000 total for everything.....

Get an estimate from your doctor and the hospital, etc. I haven't seen any under $40,000 for RNY at least....And if they would need to do it open RNY, it would cost even more because your in the hospital longer....

You may want to check on having the Lapband....I think that is cheaper to have done....

Kelly

I am so sorry this has happened to you. So many companies are not paying for gastric surgery anymore and insurance companies are not covering it like they did either. They are making it harder for people to get approval too and much longer diet requirements with doctors before surgery too.

It is very, very  expensive.....plus sometimes there are complications. I was in the hospital for three days verses the one day that is the normal stay.

You need to speak with the insurance company again and yes also the hospital. Get all the figures...everything is charged separately at a hospital. Also what will they  cover as far as aftercare and such.

I hope you can figure out a way to get this done. My surgery costs total was well over $ 58,000 because of my complication.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers....hugs....connie d

My surgery was totaly excluded on my insurance plan.  I paid for the whole thing out of pocket.  There is a different price for self pay than for insurance companies.  Maybe you can make some arrangements with the billing office before you have surgery,
I thought the Lap Band would be cheaper too, but they said you have the added cost of the Band itself as well as the surgery.

Paul is right...call your insurance company and find out what your total annual out-of-pocket amount is.  If it's $5000 (Paul's example) that would be something you might be able to work out with the hospital.  Don't give up hope.  Please verify you have all the correct totals from the insurance company before you do anything else.  My total surgery cost was around $45,000.

Good luck and let us know what the insurance company says.

There is a medical credit card that you can apply for, sometimes the rates are lower than regular credit cards and getting them are easier. Your surgeon's office may have more info on that option.
Good luck and don't cancel anything yet...hang in there and drink your liquids in the mean time....