Out of pocket fees too high

I am an Ohio Medicaid (Buckeye Health) recipiant and I CANNOT afford the 1600-1800 out of pocket fees that surgeons are asking.  There is no way I can borrow this money either. Does anyone know of any Surgeons in the Northeast Ohio area (cleveland is ok) who has a MUCH lower out of pocket fee for the surgery?  I am excellent candidate for surgery and have already been told my approval is a sure thing I just cant afford the 2 thousand dollars. Ive heard somewhere is a cleveland doc who only charges like 230?  Anyone know???

 

Andrea

I'm sorry I don't know anything about out of pocket fees, I have medical mutual and so far have only had to pay my ten dollar co-pay once for him and then one more time for my psyche evaluation. The only advice I can offer is for you to call around. I am going through the program at Parma Hospital. Good luck to you.

Andrea, My daughter is also on Medicaid.  She's changing her insurance this month to one that covers WLS.  Her insurance right now is CareSource and I think she's changing to BlueCross/BlueShield. Click on *find a bariatric surgeon at the top of the page*.  Then click on Ohio, that will give you a list of surgeons. Find a Cleveland area surgeon and click on his name.  Then you can click on Insurers.  Hope this helps!!   We're both going through the Cleveland Clinic for our surgeries.  Good luck on your journey!! 

hi Ganny, Did your daughter try to get Caresource to cover it? They say they cover it if medically neccessary, I'm working on a appeal to them currently through the Cleveland Clinic. Just curious,ThanksAmy

I had to pay all co-pays and a $2000 surgeon's fee.  This is elective surgery.. and the Doctor needs extra training... etc.  Good luck in finding someone out there for free.  I don't know of anyone!  Remember, you get what you pay for

Didn't your PCP think you were obese and that this surgery would benefit your overall health?

Have you talked to someone at the Cleveland Clinic, from what I've read they don't have a program fee, I don't know for sure but it's worth asking and they are a great hospital.

No all surgeons soak their patients for these extra fees that the insurance doesn't cover.  OF COURSE you can't afford it.  If you could, you probably wouldn't need Medicaid either, would you?  My recommendation is to see another surgeon.  There are plenty that have fairer practices.

i have insurance at my  job but it is kind of crappy i will have to pay alot around 3000 altogether i already have bills for al the pre testing but they are letting me make payments on it like 50.00 a month is that a possibilty for you????

I consider myself lucky in that I also have insurance. (am just hoping they approve my surgery).  I have a deductible and then pay 20% UP TO my out of the pocket maximum.  I also will need to pay any fees not paid by the insurance company such as their admin fee, medifast for my pre-op diet and then if the insurance does not pay for my surgeons asst, I will need to pay for her and then I will have a co-pay for my fills.  So I have relatively good insurance and will most likely be paying $1450-1650 plus copays.   I am putting money aside while I am doing my 6 mth diet & am also signing up for a flexible spending acct thru my employer.  Per a previous post..possibly you can start putting money aside now and discuss a payment arrangement with either your surgeon or the hospital for after the surgery. Good Luck!