Paying for surgery BEFORE sugery???

Hello everybody!!!

I hope everybody is having a blessed weekend!!! 

I have a question about paying for surgery!  I have UHC,  and its covered at 90% for my WLS.  I am scheduled for Feb 4th.  I have made several e-mails and calls to the hospital where I am having surgery, and my doctors office.  Know body can give me an answer yet!  :-(

I just want to be prepared to pay my 10% to the hospital before hand, as they will NOT do a particle payment.  They are very strict on this policy!  I know that my surgeon will be a different bill, as well as anesthesia, (My surgeon said that they will bill me after my insurance has paid, so no worries there, and they will take particle payments, but the hospital is just so freak strict, as I imagine most are that strict!) but what is the total for just the hospital???  or a round about figure???

I have been saving for a while now and have quite a bit put back, and I will be getting a large tax refund next week!  I just don't want to start buying a few thing that I need, and don't want to NOT have enough in my savings to cover it!!!  I want to be prepared, and make SURE that nothing can stop me!!! 

(I have already met my deductible for the year, so I know that will not be an issue!!!) 

Any suggestions or amounts would be greatly appreciated!!! 

Thanks everybody, and have a great day!!! 
Jess

I am having RNY by they way!  Frogot to mention that!  :-)

I am not sure because I am pre-op as well. But, I wanted to point out that you should find out how much your out of pocket maximum is for the year.

My surgeon, hospital and anesthesia are all in network. In my case, I have a yearly in-network out of pocket maximum of $2,000 for my Aetna plan. Because of this, even though Aetna is only covering my surgery at 80%, once I meet the out of pocket maximum of $2,000, they will cover the balance of my 20% in full since it is much more than the $2k.

I hope this makes sense!

To absolutely know for sure, I suggest calling and finding out for sure! I am going to assume that WLS is a package deal (Like a delivery - the doc bills you for the entire 9 months of appointments plus the delivery for a flat rate, unless something seriously goes wrong). I would also assume the hospital stay and anestesia are separate? Not sure, but I would definately take the time & call around and know for sure, that way you don't get caught without enough!!

Hahah, sorry for two posts, but JUST came across this on a random surgeon's website. This one happens to be in Tennesee - but, I think it will give you a rough estimate of how it all works as far as costs.

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"Our self pay rate for gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass includes the coverage of complications or readmission to the hospital for 90 days after your procedure.

The cost of band adjustments (frequently referred to as “fills") is not included. The cost for adjustments is $250.00. You can anticipate the need for approximately four adjustments in the first year after surgery.

	Gastric Band*	Sleeve Gastrectomy*	Gastric Bypass*	Duodenal Switch
Hospital	$ 10,200.00	$  14,450.00	$16,450.00	$19,500.00
Anesthesia	$   1,100.00	$     1,950.00	$  3,200.00	$  3,050.00
Surgeon	$   3,600.00	$     4,600.00	$  5,600.00	$  7,000.00
Total	$ 14,900.00	$   21,000.00	$25,250.00	$29,550.00
Radiology	$     34.00	$       34.00	$     34.00	$  34.00

 *Gastric banding, Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass fees include the coverage of complications or readmissions related to surgery for 90 days after your surgery

Most importantly, our self pay rates include unlimited access to our registered dietitians, exercise physiologist, support groups and our Psychological Support Program.

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Hope it helps!

I would suggest that you call the hospitals billing office and speak to someone that handles your insurance plan. They will have access to what your insurance companies "allowed amounts" are. I work for an insurance company and each provider (dr, hosp, aneth) has a contract that  states what they will get paid.

So the billing office should be able to give you a pretty close idea as to what you will be held responsible for.