procedure costs

Hello everyone, I went for my pre-op appt today with Dr. Pirrello at Carolina Weight Loss Surgery. Great doc, very informative. I have lost my papers from the beginning of this process that estimated the cost of the procedures and the MD costs for my care, and I forgot to ask today, can anyone help me out. Seems like the bypass was 16,000 and the lap was 14,000. What was the MD fees? Thanks, Angie

Hi Angie, Congrats on your journey. Are you self pay? I have united health care and this is what my insurance charges were for my RNY, last feburary. I used the same group for my surgery as you are using. Hospital bill 17194.54 Anesthesia 1300.00 Surgeon's Bill 4875.00 Pre-op $250 paid up front Nutrionist $500 post op I hope this helps you some. I would recommend asking for discounts if your paying ahead you should get a discount. I know what they bill and what the insurance rates are can vary drastically. Let me know if you have any questions. Jen

Jen, Thanks for replying. I am planning on having he RNY and I have CIGNA insurance that covers the procedure. I was told that I would have to meet my obligation prior to the surgery. I paid 255.00 for the consultation this past week and paid 100.00 to the nutritionist and will pay the other 400.00 post op. My plan states that it will pay 80/20 and I have a 1000.00 deductible and a total of 3000.00 out of pocket expense not including my deductible. Since you have insurance, did they charge you any upfront charges at the MD office and at the hospital? Ang

Hi Angie, I am a pt of Dr Bauman and self pay for lapband- Dr cost $5005 Northeast charges $12,000 anesthesia $1152 and nutritional for 1 yr $500 then there are additional cost for fills. Hope this helps. Maybe we will be doing this journey of WLS at about the same time. I am hoping and praying for a surgery date late Feb. I have my last appt next Tues- nut. appt with Diane. Good luck and take care, Sheila

Shelia, I have my psych appt with Dr Reedy in Salisbury today, also my Rheumatologist today(has been a while since I have been to him), I have my appt with Dr Bauman on 2-9-07, already seen Diane with Nutrition this past Monday. I go for my labs this Saturday at NEMC at the upper GI the morning before Dr Bauman's appt on the 9th. I have contacted all my doctors and had them send me my medical records so that way I can make me a Medical History chart to keep for myself, when I get there on the 9th they can make copies of what I have. I am a RN at the VA medical center is Salisbury and with my Hypertension (diagnosed about 1 1/2 ago), asthma(birth), sero negative rhematoid arthritis (1993), high cholesterol (2002), gosh I hope BCBS-federal does not give me a hard time. I called my insurance company and got a copy of the corporate policy so that way Dr Bauman (billing) can check on.

I am seeing Dr. Pirrello as well. I have my apt with the Nut on Tuesday. This should be the last step in the process for me. I am anxious to move forward with this.... I do not know how long it will take to get a date now that everything else has been done. We will only be pending approval from insurance.. United Healthcare as primary and BC.BS as secondary. Looks like we are about on the same schedules. Would love to have a surgery buddy via e-mail.

Im waiting on United Health care too as of next week. Ive done all my appts and am just waiting for psych to fax over my paperwork. Let me know how fast you guys get approval from them. The wait is killing me!@! Melissa

I am ready to move forward as well... The wait is killing me as well... I turn 40 in February and wanted to have this done by my birthday (the 12th)... Still hoping this can happen. Any other patients of Dr. Pirello.... How long did it take you to get scheduled for surgery?

Any word from UHC? My stuff went out yesterday. Trying to get an idea of how long it may take. Thanks! Melissa