Question:
Dr. Champion financing?

Okay, now I'm really anxious and REEAAALLLY need the help of my fellow WLS website friends...I've asked this question before, and I just have to ask it again-only this time I'd really appreciate hearing from Dr. Champion's former or current patients that are facing "up front" co-pays. I NEED help in this area...my health seemingly is getting worse. Don't have bad credit, but no credit is listed on my credit report, so no one will give me a loan. I have BCBS of Georgia-Federal/PPO. Anyone know of ANY medical loan companies that will AT LEAST finance or loan me the out-of-pocket expense of $5,190.00 that Dr. Champion requests? Anyone heard of a company called "Signature Finance or Signature Financial Group"?    — yourdivaness (posted on March 14, 2002)

March 14, 2002
Have you tried to get approval thru your insurance company? If not have you considered using another physician that does not charge copays up front? I am having surgery in June and my surgeon does not require any money up front. He is on my insurance and all I pay is the office copay. I don't know but I don't understand why you'd have to pay like this, if your obesity is to help irradicate medical problems why do you have to pay? If you had to get your appendix out the surgeon would not make you pay up front. I don't want to discourage you, but I know for a fact that other surgeons in Atlanta do not make you pay up front like that. Good Luck:) Hang in there..
   — Tamara R.

March 14, 2002
Does your BC/BS have a written exclusion regarding weight-loss surgery? Even so, many patients have successfully appealed initial denials from their insurance providers, so don't give up too quickly when dealing with them. My daughter was self-pay with Dr. Champion. The "up-front" payment was an aggravation, but it was worth it to have the services of one of the leading surgeons in the field of laparascopic WLS. His office apparently now has an arrangement with a local finance company that will provide assistance to his self-pay patients. His office number is (770)425-5525. Please feel free to email me directly at [email protected]
   — Diana T.

March 14, 2002
You may have to consider another surgeon who does not require up front money. Dr. Duncan is a colleague of Dr. Champion, they actually teach a class together. Two patients of Dr. Duncan's were actually referred to him by Champion. Talk to him about it. Just a suggestion.
   — Courtney W.

March 14, 2002
Okay...me again. I just read your profile---didn't know about your feelings toward Dr. D. Scratch my suggestion. I don't know where you work or live but maybe you could go to your credit union and take out a loan, or do a home equity loan on your house. Those are always options. Quick question----do you get your money back later after the ins. pays? If so, can you just borrow it from family?
   — Courtney W.