Question:
What do self-pay patients do about the costs of complications?
My insurance will not pay the cost of the surgery. Although I can find a way to finance the surgery, I am concerned about the costs of possible complications. Is there a way to protect myself from this possibility? — juliak1 (posted on April 7, 2008)
April 7, 2008
I was self pay so I went to Mexico - $11,500 including airfare and 4 days
at a 5 star beachfront resort. You still have to pay extra for
complications but those would be that much cheaper as well. I recommend Dr
Armando Joya. He is incredible. I know this site is real anti-Mexico but I
had a terrific experience.
— jannmyers
April 7, 2008
The best absolute way to protect yourself is to get the best doctor, based
on qualifications, not cost. I know this sounds simplistic, but many
inusured or not insured for this proceedure, choose a doctor based on
price, not qualifications. Check with American Bariatric
Association(Society) to see if your doctor has a Certifcate of Excellency,
get referrences, do your homework. And lastly, be compliant with all the
requirements the doctor gives you for pre op and post op. VERY IMPORTANT!
Most doctors here, in San Antonio, offer a period of aftercare included
with their fee, but you will have to ask you surgeon what, if any,
aftercare he provides. Ultimately, there is no guarantee that you won't
have complications. Just do your homework...
Good luck and will keep you in my thoughts!
my two cents....
— Jeanne Aldrich
April 7, 2008
I faced the same issues you did, and while some people choose to pay the
least and expect the most, I selected the best sergeon I could find after
more than attending 20 seminars offered at different hospitals through US.
The Doctor I select was at the time in Ft. Lauderdale, but expaned to
Orlando and St. Augustine. I selected him because he had done more than
6000 of the RNY surgery, was one of just 10 sergeons testing a new style of
Lap Band from Johnson and Johnson and had RNY WLS himself in 1996. He is a
great walking example of what can be accomplished with the surgery. My
insurance company approved, but I had to meet 6 months of special
conditions, which I did only to have them tell me they longer offered
Baratric surgery in my policy. I decided to finance the surger through
Capital One. The total cost of the surgery, Hospital and free 6 months of
complication insurance offered by my doctor and the hospital was 24,000.00
for cash. The cost of financing it over 18 months was about 350.00
additional. I save the payment is food and drug cost today, just 4 months
later, because I am off of 17 of 19 drugs I use to take. After 25 years
with Diabities, I have a A1C today of 5.7, and blood sugar of an average of
90. My dorctors website is www.usbariatics.com and there is a toll free
number for St. Augstine on the website. If it is too far for you to come,
ask them the name of the insurance company they use and a contact name, as
I am sure there are other doctors that are good enought and care about
their cash and insured patients to include this insurance. You can not buy
it on it own as they cover the doctor and the establishment and all their
patients. If you can not find out the information write me and I will pull
a copy of the policy so you can contact the insurance company to finda
sergeon nearer you. Best of sucess to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 7, 2008
I am self pay and I had complications I had gastric bypass I had to go
back in hospitol for I had a complete blockage they had to streach the
opeaning to my stomach and and my hospitol and Doctors worked with me to
pay the bill they reduced the amount they were wonderfull I know you can
get cheeper Doctors and Hospitol but my peace of mind and trust meant more
to me Cindy
— toyotawife
April 8, 2008
My doctor (Dr. Trace Curry in Cinci) offers 2 years of followup as part of
the program fee for self-pay patients. That is all the regular stuff, but
also if there are complications it covers HIS fee. I'd still have to pay
the extra hospital fees, etc...though. But I chose him because his
complication rate is low and he's done a LOT of procedures. I'm having a
VSG, which shows weight loss comparable to the RNY (a little higher earlier
on, but a little lower overall...but MUCH higher than the band) without the
complications related to malabsorption and strictures and stoma issues and
dumping. (In the VSG, you keep you pyloric valve intact so things are
released normally into the small intestine.) The total fee for the VSG and
2 years' followup is under $15,000.
Also, there is insurance your dr can buy (you pay for it, but they have to
buy it) that covers complications. I can't remember what it is called now.
Maybe someone else knows?
— abeeba
April 9, 2008
Hi, I'm self pay and my doctor gave me a year of follow ups and if anything
goes wrong with in the year he will do the surgery to fix the problem.
That was a signed contract between him and I. Good Luck I had Surgery on
October 22, 2007 and down 75lbs. Slow but doing good.
— campnwego
April 9, 2008
Check with your insurance company... I was researching something with my
insurance last night, not WLS, and found that for somethings, my insurance
(medicare) will pay for after care and any complications even if they won't
pay for the procedure itself... might be something to look into.
I'm 100% positive that you aren't the first person with this concern... I
would suggest talking to the surgeon(s) you are considering and see what
they advise their self-pay patients to do.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
April 10, 2008
Good gravy. What a spaz. I keep pushing the wrong button. Anyhow, your
peace of mind is worth a couple of thousand dollars. Get the best surgeon
possible. Good Luck!
— julia3434
April 10, 2008
It did not post the beginning of my post- sorry. My plan through Blue
Cross would not cover the insurance for me- no comorbitites- but will
cover any complications. I went to a more expensive, more reputable
doctor. The extra cost was worth my peace of mind. And your too!
— julia3434
April 12, 2008
I had my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. Not because he was the
cheapest, but because after much research I found him to be the most
competent. If I have any complication, He will take care of me at no
expense to me. I live in texas so it is not that difficult to get back to
him. He stands behind his work 100%. Thanks to Dr. A. No problems so far.
— jswrn03
Click Here to Return