Question:
What kind of hidden and/or extra costs for surgery can I expect?

I am on a very tight budget (unemployed w/ no compensation) and am concerned about some of these extra costs I am reading about. EG: $150 for a psych consult, $1000 deposit to surgeon, 5 part abdomenal garments (?????)! My insurance is covering the surgery, testing and follow ups, but what kind of cash syphon am I signing up for here? Please email me at [email protected] Thanks heaps!    — CarmenLin (posted on June 28, 2002)

June 28, 2002
Carmen, My insurance covered my procedure 100%. Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was out of network (and I had no control over that), so I am having to pay $635 to him ($10 a month) but that was my only expense other than one $15 copay to the surgeon for the initial consult.
   — Patty_Butler

June 28, 2002
Hi carmen, my insurance covered 100% with the exception of the psych consult, ekg, and the h-pylori blood test.
   — rebecca N.

June 28, 2002
I had a small flood of doctors bills that came in after the surgery. Insurance covered either all or part of all of it, but I'd say that I spent several hundred out of pocket, to include $2000 up front to the surgeon to make up for what insurance did not pay him for.
   — Cindy R.

June 28, 2002
As my friend and I spoke the other day the only person she says she didn't get a bill from at the hospital is the person who runs the coffee truck. There are bills upon bills of people who read tests etc. that come out of no where. I would strongly suggest that you contact your person in Human Resources and make sure you understand your benefits extremely well.
   — Joanie J.

June 28, 2002
Hi, Carmen - my total out of pocket costs were: $100.00 for the nutritional consult $ 50.00 for the psych consult $ 26.00 for the phone and TV service in the hospital and my usual $15.00 co-pay for the md for medical clearance and for the surgical consult. I had a private room also post op for 5 days @ no extra charge - it all depends on your insurance coverage. Good luck!
   — Jean K.

June 28, 2002
Heck, you ladies were lucky! Although my insurance is/was supposed to cover the surgery, I was required to pay a deposit for my surgeon and the assistant surgeon: $7,875.00; a deposit at the hospital: $375 (and my hospital is in my preferred providers); numerous small medical bills and co-pays: $ hundreds; not to mention I just got a $1,178.00 bill as the balance due from the hospital; etc. etc. I would ask a whole lot of questions next time you talk to your doctor/surgeon and/or his/her billing office!!!
   — Jennifer A.

June 28, 2002
I guess I am a lucky one. Everything was covered by the insurance w/the exception of the 10.00 copy for my first consult. The psych eval and everything else was covered. I guess it depends on the surgeon and/or the type of insurance you have.
   — stacey1273