Have you used combo of Flex Spend Accounts / Tax Savings ?

Hi~ I am looking into this surgery and am trying to find the most cost-effective way to pay for it. My insurance BCBS of Oregon has a contract exclusion and I was considering switching to Kaiser during our next open enrollment, but I'm told it's a contract exclusion with Kaiser also. I am looking into the clinic at www.thelapband.com in Everette WA. Even though it's a few hours away, it seems to be the cheapest (they quote $16,900 whi*****ludes a full year of adjustments). So.... We have a maximum of $5,000 for our flex spend accounts (using pre-tax dollars). then, I am assuming that I can deduct the remaining $12K that I pay out of pocket from my taxes, resulting in more savings. Has anyone come up with a creative solution? or have they looked into the tax savings in concert with having used flex spend also? Any thoghts would be appreciated. thanks!

Cheryl, I have Kaiser insurance in Washington and they do cover the surgery but there is alot of hoops to jump through. I am not totually sure all Kaiser insurance policies are the same. Call Kaiser and tell them your works policy number and they can check the policy to see if it is covered or not. Thats what I did then when open enrollment came I changed to Kaiser. Hope that helps. Carrie

I also believe the tax write off portion is for expenses that exceed 7% of your AGI. So up to 7% of your AGI is excluded and only the amount over that is deductible.

Thank you all for your responses. Kim, I read on your site that you are going to Las Vegas to have your surgery. May I ask why you are traveling so far, what the cost wil be to you, and how you will deal with follow up / adjustment appointments? I am going to to be self-paying it looks like so I am soaking up info like a sponge! thanks

I didnt use the flex account but I did claim it on my taxes as it is a write off, if it is a certain percent of your taxes. I had the band placed 2 years ago and love it. I was self pay so I did a lot of research. I went to North Bend to the North Bend medical clinic and had my band placed in 2004. I was on their web site today and they are having a special for the band for $10,000. I have recomended others who have gone down and had surgery. Here is their website www.northwestbariatricsurgery.com I would be happy to answer any questions you might have- good luck ! remember you are worth every penny. Gail

Yes, Both my husband and I are self-pay DS post-ops. We were able to use both his flexible spending account for his surgery (it wasn't an option for my surgery 2 years prior to his), and we also used the tax deduction for both of our surgeries. It made for a very good tax year both times! We also had BCBS - and ODS - bot denied through both coverages. Today, however, I'm THRILLED that they didn't cover and I found the surgeon and surgery that have blessed my life so tremendously! It's amazing the form that blessings come in! Best, dina