Pre-op costs

Okay, all you self-payer please don't  I stone be but, I have added up the cost of all th pre-surgery costs and it is pretty expensive. Now don't get me wrong the cost saving of long term heath and the food costs will far exceed these costs but I was wondering what out of pockets others have paid. My Dr. has a 600.00 deposits that is reimbursed if you make all of your appointments and all of your co-pays have been met. There was a 200.00 non-refundable fee for processing paperwork. I received paperwork from the psycologist that says I need to purchase 50.00 worth of materials from her along with co-pay and I have several other pre-op co-pay apptointments scheduled at 25.00 a piece. I also have to pay all but 40.00 for a psycology appt. because the one he uses in out-of-network and all the ones that were in-network (only three others) were not accepting new patients or bariatric clearance patients. So when all said and done I think I will be out of pocket over 1000.00. Not that it's not worth it just more than expected after finding out my insurance pays 100%.  

Yeah, it's not a super cheap process, but if you take numerous medications, it could pay for itself in a short time.

Ok, no stones here.  But you are right, you will more than make up for that in health benefits.  And I find some of those inicidental costs questionable-just another way to to stick it to the consumer.  The whole bariatric biz has gotten to be a racket that would not be tolerated if the condition were diabetes or drug addiction.   I wish I knew what the answer is, and I doubt it's an easy, one stop solution anyway, but "medical consumers" have got to start speaking out and dialogue started.

Did you see DeeDee's post below?  Would it benefit you to get your fills in Tulsa rather than having to drive to Houston each time? Just a thought... Cathy

Yeah-I saw that.  They are opening a fill center in Tulsa and I will be able to transfer there if I want to (not have to go throw the entire "new patient" process again). Houston has worked out well because it gives me a few days out of town which I've needed lately, but I doubt I'll want to continue that drive.  The good news is, this fill seems to be "the one" so it hopefully it won't be an issue for awhile.

I agree that some of those charges are bogus!! $600 deposit - what the heck is that all about???????? $200 to process paperwork - OMGSH!!! All they do is send a fax to the insurance company, hello - what a rip off!!!!!!!!! I didn't buy any material from my psyc. eval, I can't imagine what that would be, especially at $50.  I'm sure in the end you're saving money (cring) but I certainly would be looking for a more cost friendly surgical place. That just doesnt seem right to me at all. 

The cost sounds pretty reasonable to me. I was going to Surgical Associates in 2004-2005 and spent about $800 out of pocket. I had the Cardio, Pulmonary and Phsyc. evaluations all at 20% out of my pocket and had to pay a deposit of $500 to S. A.  plus I drove to Tulsa for 6 support meetings.  I seen my PCP 2 times for the refferal process my insurance required and that was about $60. I was DENIED!!!!!!!!!!   the 10 years UN -CONSECUTIVE under a physicians for weight loss care was not enough. Total waste of my money and time.  Then I started seeing a diet quack here in town. His fee is $100 a month for pills, pills and more pills and a shot.  So I could get the 2 year CONSECUTIVE  supervised diet my insurance requested. Then my insurance goes and changes from 2 to  3 years of the crap.  Ok so another year!!!  Then my husbands employer/ plant  moves to Texas.  NO INSURANCE!  Going Cobra was to expensive Well I decided to self pay. I figured the cost roughly and it will be about $15,000 out of my pocket.  But the way I see it this may be a blessing because after it is all said and done it will be cheeper than if I had insurance. Dr. Gorospe will see patients who need aftercare and elect to go out of the USA for WLS and I think that is great.  The people in his office seem very nice.  He was not in my insurances network when I had it so thats why I was going through S. A.   maybe if I had seen Gorospe he would have helped me appeal. Who Knows? You should like him I have heard nothing but good things.  Hope you get APPROVED!!!!!!!! ~Dedee

I have already been approved and it was in 6 days from insurance but much longer due to contract problems between the hospital and my insurance company. Really I'm happy but I also think you can add alot of cost when your selling a bone to a dog.

So far I have paid $200.00 for a nurtitional evaulation that includes 3 more visits. $200.00 for a psych evaluation that includes 2 free(ya right) consults that can be used pre or post op. Plus the gas to drive there and back and the trips to the support group meetings...So maybe a total so far of under $700.00 Oh ya and the meds I have to take for the h-pyriori bacterai thing.....$250.00 plus the meds for nausea....urggg. Not bad if u ask me.....i sure wouldn't the fees you are....a processing fee and a deposit..........woohoo no wonder he makes money....Good luck!

Thank God I do have the money but I have a friend that wants to have wls that said there is no way she has an extra 1000.00 at any given time. I will get the 600.00 back but it may be up to 90 days but It really be all worth it in the end. (some of my rant was PMS induced).