Pay for yourself?

Has anyone had the surgery and paid for themselves in Wisconsin/Milwaukee area? I have United Healthcare and have fought with them about this-They have a written exclusion. If you pay on own-what does the Doc want you to do other than pretesting for the surgery. How much am I looking at for RNY? How quickly can it be done if all is well? Any input will be appreciated. Thanks Cheri

You need to ask each clinic what their requirements are re private pay costs. I am aware BIW is around $16,000 for lap-band. Not sure if that includes the hospital. Many of the clinics will assist you with financing as well. I believe it's higher for RNY. Do you know which clinic you are looking at for the surgery? If all is well, there's an estimate of about 60-90 days at BIW. I had my initial consult in September and surgery in December.

Hey Cheri, I don't know if my insurance will pay or not, so I tto would like to know about Docs in Milwaukee or Madison or even Chicago or Rockford? Costs for self-pay? If you find out anything about lap RNY please post. Kim M.

Cheri, I don't know what costs are for RNY in the Milwaukee area, but I can tell you that mine done at Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis ran $57,000 and I was only in the hospital the day of surgery, overnight that night and went home the following day. Good luck! Nancy E.

Hi Cheri! I have RNY Lap scheduled for March 1st at the Barix Clinic in Belvidere, IL. The total is $25,500.00. That will cover doctor, anesthesiologis, pre-testing and all hospital expenses. I know that someone had it at St. Mary's in Madison, WI and it was about $29,000.00. I had my consult on Feb. 9th and have pre-testing scheduled for Feb. 20th with surgery on March 1st. I did not have to take psych. evaluation. I am paying for this myself. I love the staff at the Barix Clinic and would highly recommend them. Please let me know if you have any other questions that I may be able to help you with! Lucy

Hey Lucy -- how did your surgery go ? I had my RNY and my first reconstructive surgery (TT) done at Barix in Belvidere.. Write me at [email protected] and let me know how you're doing ok? Lynne

Hi Cheri, I have DeanCare and went with a Dean Doc in Madison, and St. Mary's for my lapband. I find this whole system really laughable. I'm fighting and will probably go to small claims with St Mary's over $232. I paid $15,500 for my band and a deal is a deal. I feel strongly that I need to go to small claims to make a statement against this kind of treatment. We had an agreement! My suggestion would be to get it in writing and know up front exactly what they will pay for and what they won't. You may also want to submit in writing what your payment covers. That being said, I am so grateful for my surgery and the chance to get my life back. There is a whole new world opening up to me now that I'm improving my health! Yours in pounds down, Jen -126

I have DeanCAre and went with St Marys in Madison. Had Laparoscopic RNY and my cost for the hospital was $19,200 paid up front. Lori

i heard that i was less expensive if you have to self pay. i know that here in appleton wis., near green bay, the 'midwest bariatric center' charges $30,000 all inclusive but i believe they have a lower price for self pays. i do know that i'm going to a different clinic now in greenbay itself. 'midwest bariatric center' wouldn't accept 3 different financing companies that we got approved on. the hubby's network doesn't cover bariatric but i'm lucky enough to have medicare so we would have to come up with $6000. and the finance companies we were using were only $152 a month for the $6000 over a 48 month period. marty hoth

i forgot to say also that all of the types of surgeries at 'midwest' are the same price. i'm hoping that at meeting at 'bellin hospital' with drs. geortis at 8am on 3/8 means that i might be accepted there. we're supposed to come up with $300 and some money to the meeting. and i noticed that their seminars are at night and are free. i do know that they also have their own financing. yaaaa hooooo!!!! marty hoth