Help...Insurance...Self Pay???

My Insurance covers lap band surgery but I work for the County and they have an exclusion clause about WLS. I will have to self pay if I can...can anyone give me a ball park idea of what this might cost. I don't even know how to go about finacing something like this if I had to...need help please!

Hey Charlie! I have always heard that lap band surgery is about 1/2 of what bypass cost so it is probably like $15,000. I am not a financial person but here are a few ideas. 1. Home Equity line - interest is tax deductible. 2. credit cards (this is always the best...but it is a way) 3. Some banks offer unsecure loans but not sure they would offer one up to 15k but you might want to check with the credit unions. 4. check with you doctor's office and hospital. They usually have ways to help you finance things. Trust me, if they want you buisness, they will find a way to help you. Hope this helps. Rachel

Hey there Charlie, I will be banded by Dr. Byrne at MUSC on Aug. 25. I also work for MUSC and have the policy they offer us (MUSC Options). It is a form of BC/BS and it also has a WLS exclusion--EXCEPT for the treatment of MORBID obesity. Does your policy say anything like this? If so, there is hope.

Hey charlie.. i was self pay.. at dr. bours office. here is the break down lap band would be total cost about 16k i think it was, with dr bours money included rny was quoted at 23,500 for the hosp cost.. which i ended up getting a bill for 30k which i am currently fighting since i had no complications and was only in the room 2 days, and the contract was for 3.. bunch of bs , dr bour told me not to pay them.. i had to pay 16k to the hosp up front the morning of surgery 6 k to dr bour up front for his surg cost and 2,500 for his enrollment fee whi*****ludes the optifast, meetings with the nutritionist and in house psychologist for life...and all support group meetings. then whatever deductible your ins is for the endoscopy dr bours office has a brochure for a financing company that finances wls, it would be beneficial for you to get a copy of that and start there. i personally didnt use them because i was blessed and didnt have to, but i am still going to fight this hosp over this bill because its outrageous when i did everything for myself. only time i needed a nurse was when they gave me heparin shots, breathing treatments, and the first time i got out of bed. all other times i walked to the station and asked for what i needed. but anyways.. it can be alot of money but to me it was worth it. i was in 24/26's 6 weeks ago, couldnt exercise from getting stress fractures in my feet, and today i put on a size 16! and training for a tri-athalon! i havent worn that size since i was like 12! .. my dad is supposed to have surgery too, and now we are changing ins. plan to one that pays, i wish i had done this prior but i didnt know it was available to do.. but anyways.. good luck with it all! just think, pay the 25-30k for your life, or a new car?? i pick my life!