self pay advice??

I guess Im moving on to the self pay. No insurance will approve WLS as an individual plan.

My question now is..how much does it cost?

will the Doctor's office have any programs or anything?

just any advice you may have..Thanks

I just got my stuff as to what insurance was billed and paid and it looks something like this:

Pitt Memorial Hospital $43,000

Surgeon's Bill    $6,000

I had my RNY done laproscopically at Pitt Memorial in Greenville on August 8th. I stayed in the hospital for Friday and Saturday nights. That includes my 2 followup visits with the surgeon as well. Not sure if there's a cash discount or not. 

- Iris  

Wow!  I had heard like 20,000.

also I hear most ppl stay just 1 night..

for those of you saying 20,000. does this include hospital & everything?

I do believe that it is less than what they charge insurance if you are self pay, but I think it is near 20,000. I know some people have used home equities and other various ways to fund these. Let us know how it goes.

Lisa

If you are thinking about beging banded, both band manufacturers have financing programs. Lap-Band offers financing through GE Money Bank (CareCredit) and Realize band through National City Corp. You can check out their websites for more info. I've know some people take credit lines against the equity in their homes. Good luck!
Jennifer

Just a thought. If you check this website you will find prices for surgery in Mexico whi*****ludes airfair hotel, hospital and surgeon. Depending on which proceedure you have done I think the RNY is $12,000. Good luck!

I was self pay.  I went to Dr Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico for my lap band.  Cost was $8500.  That was a year ago.  I have to get my fills at Fill Centers USA, because no doc around here will take a patient they haven't banded.  I was not even in the clinic overnight, and was on a plane home within 24 hours of surgery (I could have stayed longer, but couldn't see the point).   I have had no complications.  Be sure you get ALL the terms of a self pay up front.  Like after care, fills, does the cost include the doc AND the hospital AND the anestheseologist, etc.  Good luck. 

Try one more thing before having to self pay. My insurance denied me 3 times, I fought and fought but only got denials. So I was told to go to my Vocational Rehibilitation Center. I called made an appointment and I go Monday to sign the final papers. Voc is paying for all of RNY surgery.  Make sure if you look into this that it is the Voc. Rehab in the county you live in. Good luck!!

I was self pay. Doctor's fee was 7,500.00 and the hosptial was 17,500.00. My doctor did offer care credit but I didn't use that.

Me me me!

 I'm *thrilled* to be a self-pay. Honestly, it's the best: no dealing with all that ins drama. 

Since you are a self-pay you can have any surgery you want -- I chose the Duodenal Switch because it has the best long-term weight loss success. If I'm going under general anesthesia --  and paying for it myself -- I want the best I can get.

I researched self-pay doctors for a long time before I settled on Dr. Gagner. He charges 18K. There are several docs overseas: one in Brazil, one in Mexico, one in... somewhere else, I don't recall... who are well trained and well versed in WLS. Most of the overseas docs charge about the same thing. 

I am a firm believer in, "You get what you pay for." You are making an investment in your future!