The most devastating news
CareCredit is the medical credit card, google it online and apply. Every little bit helps. I agree with everyone, you have come this far, DO NOT give up yet! Check your max out of pocket - insurance has to cover you - once that is reached, that is why we pay our premiums. A bit of work to do right now for you, but so worth it. My hospital simply billed me after the insurance paid. Worst case, you make payments to them. This is your life, and like the rest of us, you really need this to have a better and healthier life!
Keep us posted hun, we are here to try to help.
Kelly
http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2Fm5C4/">
Oh my goodness! I had to double check my totals with the hospital to see what I paid. My TOTAL for surgery, doctor, the anesthesiologist and all my clinic visits for a whole year was, get this, $33,369.85!!! I also think I had the BEST surgeon. I had no complications, and was up and about right away. I have heard different stories about how different hospitals and different surgeons do things and I truly believe Dr Charles Svendsen at Park Nicollet is the best!
Breakdown: Day of surgery, Hospital 20,498.15
Doctor 5,760.05
Anesthesiologist 2,426.40
Total $28,684.60
One full year of clinic appointments 4,685.25
TOTAL $33,369.85
Good Luck! Let us know how it all turns out.
Breakdown: Day of surgery, Hospital 20,498.15
Doctor 5,760.05
Anesthesiologist 2,426.40
Total $28,684.60
One full year of clinic appointments 4,685.25
TOTAL $33,369.85
Good Luck! Let us know how it all turns out.
Bonnie 
There is another forum on his board that chats about insurance isssues. check that out for more information.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/
So after a few days of feeling hopeless and my mind going in spin I found out a few things.
It is 50% coverage where I have to pay 50% with no cap.
Hospital will be around $15 000
Surgeon will be around $4 000
Anesthesiologist around $2 500
This is if everything goes well with no complications. That leaves me with a bill of approximately $10 750. (Am I missing anything?)
The hospital just called to let me know they will work on a payment plan with me. I talked to all the others and I guess I can make payments, but they would like their $ within a year or two. I’m still going strong on my liquid diet !!! This has been a roller coaster without any comparisons. I called home to get some support and I got the message that you should not change what nature has given you and that maybe this is a sign for me not to do it. It did not help me any! I got 7 more days to make up my mind if I can afford this “new life".
It is 50% coverage where I have to pay 50% with no cap.
Hospital will be around $15 000
Surgeon will be around $4 000
Anesthesiologist around $2 500
This is if everything goes well with no complications. That leaves me with a bill of approximately $10 750. (Am I missing anything?)
The hospital just called to let me know they will work on a payment plan with me. I talked to all the others and I guess I can make payments, but they would like their $ within a year or two. I’m still going strong on my liquid diet !!! This has been a roller coaster without any comparisons. I called home to get some support and I got the message that you should not change what nature has given you and that maybe this is a sign for me not to do it. It did not help me any! I got 7 more days to make up my mind if I can afford this “new life".
My situation is very similar to yours. I went from having to pay $500 to about $7000 3 days before surgery that I don't have right now. I opted to still have the surgery and do whatever it takes to pay the bills. It's been such a life changing event so far. Having everyone coming up and telling you how great your looking and doing is priceless. Not to mention not having to worry if your going to fit in seats if its Valleyfair, the airplane, or a stadium.
Pre-op spending $3000
Surgery cost $7000
Being at a healthy weight and
being able to do everything PRICELESS
Pre-op spending $3000
Surgery cost $7000
Being at a healthy weight and
being able to do everything PRICELESS
I think your total bill will be much higher than you estimated, base your decision on about 35,000. That way if it is less you will still be "affording" it.
I had family members that said the same thing. Now, they don't remember saying anything like that AND they are very proud of my progress. So sometimes there people are afraid for their potential loss and are thus conservative, but then when you are successful, they jump on your side.
I had family members that said the same thing. Now, they don't remember saying anything like that AND they are very proud of my progress. So sometimes there people are afraid for their potential loss and are thus conservative, but then when you are successful, they jump on your side.
dont mean to put a damper - but most insurance breaks down this way (at least mine does) - and I am using random numbers as an example
first you have a deductible you have to meet - say 2500.00 - that means you pay 2500.00 out of pocket before you have reached the point that insurance starts kicking in and picking up their portion - say 80%
then once you've paid say 5000.00 (2500 to start and 20% of other costs) to meet the out of pocket maximum - everything after that is covered.
I actually had carotid artery surgery last April and met my total out of pocket with that, so basically every other procedure I had - and prescription I needed was covered at no cost to me after that.
Of course my insurance doesnt cover any form of WLS and I work for the insurance company, so I had to wait till this year and go on my husbands insurance. I anticipate I will have about 7500.00 out of pocket by the time my wls is done. But I pay the drs and hospital 50.00 every other week out of my hsa account - as long as you are making payments they are okay.
The one thing I did find amazing during my surgery last year - was the hospital billed insurance 19000.00 for my overnight stay - insurance went back and told them nope you can only bill 5000.00. (so remember what the hospital charges and what insurance allows them to charge rarely match) Makes me wonder - what the hell do people without insurance do? Not pay? COuld that be why those of us with insurance get railed. That's my input - sorry for rambling.
So I say hey dont take a vacation this year. I am actually doing something for me for a change and damn every one else.
Stay the course and go for it. The naysayers can kiss your butt when they all are fawning over the new slimmer you.
first you have a deductible you have to meet - say 2500.00 - that means you pay 2500.00 out of pocket before you have reached the point that insurance starts kicking in and picking up their portion - say 80%
then once you've paid say 5000.00 (2500 to start and 20% of other costs) to meet the out of pocket maximum - everything after that is covered.
I actually had carotid artery surgery last April and met my total out of pocket with that, so basically every other procedure I had - and prescription I needed was covered at no cost to me after that.
Of course my insurance doesnt cover any form of WLS and I work for the insurance company, so I had to wait till this year and go on my husbands insurance. I anticipate I will have about 7500.00 out of pocket by the time my wls is done. But I pay the drs and hospital 50.00 every other week out of my hsa account - as long as you are making payments they are okay.
The one thing I did find amazing during my surgery last year - was the hospital billed insurance 19000.00 for my overnight stay - insurance went back and told them nope you can only bill 5000.00. (so remember what the hospital charges and what insurance allows them to charge rarely match) Makes me wonder - what the hell do people without insurance do? Not pay? COuld that be why those of us with insurance get railed. That's my input - sorry for rambling.
So I say hey dont take a vacation this year. I am actually doing something for me for a change and damn every one else.
Stay the course and go for it. The naysayers can kiss your butt when they all are fawning over the new slimmer you.
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