Need Financial Info

Hiya OH buds, I am trying to set myself up financially (as well as physically!) for WLS, specifically an open RNY @ Albany Medical Center. I have Community Blue (BS of NENY) and can't get much info out of them about coverage...I am wondering if any of you wouldn't mind sharing what, if any, was your copay for surgery/hospital stay. Maybe I can get a rudimentary idea of what type of financials I'll be looking at so it won't be a rude shock! Please feel free to email me if that's more comfortable for you.... Thanks, and I hope you all are well! Hugs, Amy

Amy! Hello, I had my surgery over 3 yrs ago at AMC! I had Dr. Singh, I am guessing you are opting for Dr. Rosati (you said OPEN right?). The BEST way to find out specifics is to CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY to find out the poilcy/coverage/requirements for WLS..IF they have a 6 mo pre wls medically supervised diet (many of the blues do but not all), what other prereqs they have etc....get it in WRITING. Then ask aboout financially what u owe. MOST are a copay for doctor or what is the benefit for hospital some have a 240-500$ copay for hospitals, others dont...All community blue ins are not the same employers differ in the specific policies they get...Is yours a 80/20 plan or a copay type? My RNY cost aboout $25,000 (to the insurance, based on what I got the bill for that they paid....surgeon, OR, anesthesia, labs, etc) I paid MVP at that time my $240 copay for the hospital..that was all.... But if your a 80/20 20% of $25K or so is about: $5K or so (more probably today w/ prices always jumping!). How far along in the process are you? HUGS! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"