Help! Funding or loan for surgery.

Hi everyone. I am employeed at The Ohio State University and I have just completed the Living Well and Nutrition program that is mandatory for OSU employees before they can have gastric bypass surgery. I was told last Friday that insurance has approved me (Yea!) and then I was called on Monday and informed that I have to pay my 30% copay upfront before I can even get an appointment with Dr. Needleman to set a surgery date! The total is $4,330.00--Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass $3,100.00 OSU Medical Center $ 965.00 Department of Surgery $ 265.00 OSU Anesthesiology I have approximately half of the total, but obviously not all. Does anyone know of how I can get funding or a loan for the other half? My credit is nowhere near stellar , but I'm frustrated and upset to hear this now, especially since I have been in the program for almost a year! This was the first time someone told me that I would have to have my money upfront. Please help! Maureen

We have something called CareCredit for our patients, did you ask them if they have any options like this? Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Thanks for answering me, but unfortunately OSU does not have any type of payment plan for the copay portion. It's all or nothing. Maureen

Check out medicredit.com. Maybe they can help.

Try Capitalone.com also. They have medical funding or borrow against a pension perhaps. Good Luck

hi maureen, the center i am having my surgery through has a financial counselor who helps you explore options to pay for surgery, does OSU offer that service to you do you know?? good luck and know i'm pulling for you!

I was trying to go through OSU at first. However, I am glad I switched Doctors.. I filled out all paperwork and started on my appointments then I get letter fromf OSU telling me they couldnt accept me into the program until I went on a 12 week or longer supervised diet. I had been keeping a food journal 8 weeks prior to that and they wouldnt accept it due to it was not supervised. My friend had surgery there 6 months prior and she was on Ohio Medicade and she never had to do have the things they wanted me to do....... Oh well. My point is,, if OSU would be up front about alot of things people wouldnt be shocked and frustrated in the end. Good Luck Jackie