Friend needs help! Ways to pay for surgery?

Hi there.  I crossed over to the VA board in hope of helping a friend.  I have a close friend that has just moved to VA for work.  Her hubby is still looking for work, and they have no insurance.  She really wants to start looking into RNY but doesn't know where to begin.  Did anyone fund raise or finance?  Are there any special programs or medical grants?  I did not have this issue, so this is all new to me.  Thanks so much for any and all help!

Hi.

I don't know about grants or insurances or those type of things, but I will let you know that I was self-pay (well, my father paid for it) for my surgery in April of 2006. At the time, the total cost was about $35-36K. ($14K of which was ONLY for the two day hospital stay) Your friend might want to look into financing it the same way you would a car or other large purchase. Without insurance, the price goes up VERY quickly. (this test is $1000, that test is $2000, etc)

Note: this was three years ago. Since then, I know that the requirements for having surgery have become a bit more stringent, so the total cost has probably gone up some. 

Hope she finds financing. This surgery is more valuable to me than any material possession.

Thanks Julie.  My 'Angel' paid for my band, so I am in the same boat as you.  I think the idea of financing is a little overwhelming to her.  Her hubby is out of work right now and I know that she won't take on the responsibility of a loan til that is resolved.  Thanks so much for your reply.  I am glad to see that you are doing so well with your loss and maintaining.  Congrats!

You might suggest she also look into the lap-band.   It is not quite the same as RNY, but it is a lot cheaper.  I just self paid at UVA.  It cost me $15,400.   That covered the surgery, any hospital stay if needed, and 50% of all follow up fills. 

I do know there are several finance plans out there for medical and dental expenditures.   However, many of them have high intrest rates.   When I went to the Lap-Band and Realize (another lap-band producer) web sites, I found links to some of these financing sites.   She could also do some web searches on "medical procedure financing".   Tell her to also check with some of the teaching hospitals.   I know one person on the message board, mentioned she had been able to get a partial grant from the hospital.

I hope see finds the help she needs, I understand how difficult it can be.

Good luck.

Wow, thanks so much for the info.  I had not thought of a teaching hospital.  I will have her look into it.

Hi Mel,

I paid for my RNY through Capital One healthcare loans.  I went onto Capital One's website and applied for the healthcare loan.  There is also Care Credit and few others out there. 
Hope this helps!

I have heard of Care Credit, but I had no idea that Capital One had a healthcare division.  Thansk so much for the information.