Pay for yourself?

I am stuck self-paying also due to written exclusions. I've been told to expect about $35,000 for RNY at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. The one "good" thing is you shouldn't have to go through the 6+ month waiting period of physician-supervised diet and exercise. I'm waiting to get scheduled...hopefully this spring yet! My spouse and I are looking at borrowing from our 401K or taking a home equity loan out since we don't have that kind of liquid cash.

I too have United Healthcare and will have to pay myself. This is what I found out: This is thru Bellin in Green Bay, by the way. 18,000 - Open RNY 23-25,000 - Lap RNY 9,500 - Surgeon & attending (Drs. Grazziotin & Geocaris) 3,000 approx - Anesthieologist (sp!) I haven't called the Radiology group yet - they will be doing the "leak" test. Even tho the Open is less expensive, I am going to go with the Lap - I've heard it is easier to recover from. I made some deals along the way if I pay up front. Bellin requires 80% up front - so somewhere 15,000, but I get a 20% discount if I pay in 30 days. The good thing is I have been "processed" faster than someone with insurance coverage. Take care - Susan

Hi CHeri - I had my open RNY done at Barix in Belvidere Il almost 3 years ago- my insurance cost was somewhere around 57,000 plus surgeon - but for self- pays I hear it's about 25,000 --- I can give you someone to call there for information that will get you right to the source if you're interested - email me at [email protected] and I'll give you her number ok? Lynne