Paying cash for sugery--how to get the best deal.

We have finally decided to pay cash for a lap band procedure--we have been through multiple insurance denials and appeals.  We are getting a private loan so we can pay cash for the surgery.   We are near St Louis and have planned to go through New Start but are open to suggestions. Any ideas?  Suggestions?  Experiences?  How much have others had to pay?  We were quoted $15,500 by the NS people.  Thanks!

if i had to have paid cash i would have gone to Mexico. They have this incrediable package that includes flight there , hotel for a week after, on the beach, great hospitals and hotels according to people that have gone there. check the forum for south of the border.

Did you do the appeal process yourself or did you hire an attorney?   I went to a lawyer after I assumed I was denied, but it was they needed more information and in contacting this attorney, I found out that if you been denied for lapband that the maker of the port is hiring certain attorney to contest your appeal FREE OF CHARGE....................so before I take out that loan, I would try one more time..............email and I'll give you the information and what attorney I used............whatever you decide, go luck in your jorney........

Africa

Hi there, Jan C was right on, we have had several on our boards go over and get it in Mexico-at reputable hospitals, and have had the lap AND/OR the RNY with huge success! NurseAmy, here on the MO is one I remember (she lives real close to me)...and I believe hers was 10 grand-and she had the RNY which costs more than the lap-more hospital time etc.... Also, I worked in billing for almost 13 years and at our local hospital in Joplin, MO-they give a 10 percent discount to any person either paying up front OR within 30 days. You do NOT want to speak to admissions about this-you want to call and speak to the billing department-and even then, do not speak to just any rep that answers the phone, please ask for a manager/supervisor or even the director. Cash people pay a lot more than they get from ANY insurance or medicare/medicaid, because you are not getting anything written off like they do with Blue Cross, for instance. People would not believe the contracts that hospitals have-and often times, the PPO adjustment or such is more than 50%-so-try to negotiate BEFORE hand-and get it in writing. I personally went to Missouri Bariatrics and had Dr. Fearing. She was the best!! Check around with different places, get the best bang for your buck!~You may even call NS back and ask for their billing department as well. See if the manager there cant come to an agreement there-and use what I said as an example-that surgeon will STILL get MORE CASH from you-paying ALL cash, than ANY insurance company-so even ask for up to 25% off-dont be afraid to ask-we had a lot of people do that and our director would always make arrangements. Even our cash procedures, for instance, for breast implants-they would get 10% discount-BUT ONLY IF THEY ASKED BEFOREHAND!!!  So-word to the wise-ask first and see. Some reps dont know this-and, of course, the hospitals dont advertise this, but it IS a fact, but make sure you get it in writing, and make sure you talk to a manager or director, because a lot of reps dont even see a cash patients billing unless you were to call for some reason-there is no reason for them to ever see your bill.  I really hope this helps, and if you need anything else, please feel free to PM me.  Good luck, I hope it all works out for you and your NEW life!!! Janet