Costs of everything...questions.

Alright, I had went to one doctors seminar and the starting out processing fee was going to be $200.  I figure, sure, that's not TOO bad.  Well, that doctor ends up not even being in my network.  Then I start looking at another doctor and his consult fee is like close to $400.  Is this always normal?  I'm gonna end up having to get financing for the portion of the surgery my insurance wouldn't cover anyways, but how much out of pocket is normal?  Is there some doctors that aren't as steep? 

I know I need to do this surgery and am willing to do what it takes.  It's just right now its just stressful in itself thinking of all the costs that will be coming up.  Ahhhh.

KM.....

Don't necessarily think of it in absolute terms....  I know the costs are high....but there are fringe benefits that pay you back....  yu don't eat nearly as much and the stuff you do eat, is really healthy and inexpensive (unless you're like me and live off of netrition.com)....

Not to mention...your only gonna be as young as you are today.....so think about it.... tomorrow you're gonna be older...wouldn't you like to be the NEW skinny you while you're still young?  I think so....  you'll feel better, run faster, be able to leap small dogs in a single bound....you'll see...

Men will want to be WITH you and women will want to be you.....(unless you're a dude, then that's a bad thing and stuff...)....seriously...

So sure, it costs a lot if you're paying for it yourself (like me and several others), but it's soooo worth it....  be patient, work with the system and cut costs whenpossible and keep searching for someone who can help defer those costs to a more manageable fee.  Let the Doc know that you're paying this out of pocket if he's not in your network or whatever.... seriously....

Ok back to my icecream sundae making..... whoops...I mean um...no bread steak sandwich...ya ya, that's the ticket...

T.

Don't pay much attention to T.  He means well but he's been out in the Caribean Sun too long!  LOL!  J/K! (sort of!)

I am going to take a shot in the dark...But if you were going to Dr. Gorospe in Owasso, his $200.00 fee is just that.  It doesn't come off of insurance or anything.  I paid that fee and lost it when I decided to change surgeons.  I only changed because my insurance will pay more if I go to a Blue Distiction Facility.  (I think Dr. Gorospe is a wonderful Dr. He isn't the reason I changed)  My total out of pocket is at least 1/2 if I go to OKC, Integris.  I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN.  They have been wonderful.  They have paid 100% of my testing and that was pricey!  I had to give my current Surgeon a $300.00 fee.  That does come off my out-of-pocket and counts towards my surgery costs. 

If you aren't sure what your total out-of-pocket per year is you should contact your insurance and find out exactly what they pay and what they don't pay.  You will know more then. 

Another option is Weight Wise in Edmond.  They are an all inclusive facility.  They do surgeon apts there and your surgery and so on... There are several people on the OH forum that use it and Crickett/aka Rita works there.  You have many options.  I would start by contacting your insurance and write down what they say and get names and ask them for it in writing.  Ask them to mail you something stating what they pay for.  I was in touch with my insurance several times. 

There is another OH member from Miami also her name is CJ.  Here is how you can contact her... http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/mamacj/  She just had lapband surgery and I'm sure she will be happy to talk with you.  I believe she has something to do with the support group in Miami. 

I like Miami, My daughter-in-law and grandson live there. 

I wish you all the best in your decision!  I hope my information helped!
Hugs
Kim

 I paid out of pocket like T did and knowing what I know now I fully understand all the "hidden costs".  Now before anyone says anything, these costs are not associated with the doctor but rather the hospital.  I have been in a huge fight with Bailey here lately over their "Pay it all today and get a 55% discount" bullsh*t.  I always pay up front, paying like $750 for a $1600 hospital procedure.  Well the last two times I have done this something is getting messed up in the paperwork somehow and the hospital billing department, which is at ANOTHER hospital all together, bills me for the difference. This difference is never sent to me as a bill in the mail, I get NO coorespondance, and then 2 months later a collections agency is calling me wanting the money.  This is messing with my credit.  Needless to say my mom is FURIOUS with the hospital right now. Now that I got that off my chest.

Shop around and find what doctor works best for you and your insurance.  If that means driving to OKC, Kansas City, Tulsa, or whereever then do what is best for you.  We are all going to love and support you no matter where you go.  You said yourself, you are willing to do what it takes, thats a MAJOR step in this journey.  Best of luck

You should attend a seminar at Weight Wise of Edmond.  They have them on most Saturdays (absolutely free).  They will explain the 3 procedures they perform there and explain costs.  I was a total self-pay and the price I was quoted was all inclusive except for the pre-op testing and lab work which my insurance did pay for.  At that time, I set up my consult with the surgeon and if the insurance paid for that he accepted it but if you didn't have surgery and your insurance didn't pay then they did NOT bill you their consult fee.  You can go to:  http://www.weightwise.com/p/10149/Default.aspx.  Either of their surgeons are awesome and I would have trusted either one to do my procedure.  When you have one for your surgery the other surgeon assists anyway.  i had to know the total out of pocket I would expect to pay and I knew that totally up front.  Good luck!!