Hey Girl! 
  I've missed seeing you!! Hope your classes are going well and you will soon be enjoying your new career.(and getting insurance!) I do hope you have talked to a broker and at least have major medical coverage. Costs a lot less, but covers those BIG bills if there is an accident.
  Regarding the labs, I would call a community health clinic and ask them for a cash quote.  You should be eligible to use them with no ins. & going to school.  Also, check with your Dr. as to which labs are necessary at what intervals. Some can be done once a year if all is well. 
   Hope to see you soon! Meeting next Monday - 25th!
Hugs!!

I know there are clinics that give a discount if a patient is paying cash... did you tell the lab that you going to pay cash.

Since there is usually a difference from what a Clinic/Lab will bill out and what they get reimbursed from an insurance company.... they will give the cash patients a price break.

I just checked... Virginia Mason Medical Center does give a 20% discount to uninsured patients, but you would have to check with Patient Finanial Services to see if Lab Tests for post WLS surgery patients is on the list of designated services available.

Helen

I am without insurance and am about to have my labs drawn. I called the Franciscan lab (paclab) and they quoted me at $879. anyone know if there is a cheaper place to get all our labs if you pay cash? I hate to bite this bullet and THEN find out i could have saved a few bucks somewhere else...The md visit alone is between 15-175..i know, poor me..hehe
Hope all my peeps is well, sorry not on much...i swear once you are post op life goes into overdrive and you never sit on your butt again!
xoxoxo

Cherryl,

Is the support group open to anyone or only group health patients?

Helen,
So sorry to hear about your mom.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.