Question:
why do i have to pay $4,000.00 up front for my laproscopic gastric bypass surgery

i am so upset because i ran around to all the drs and got all the test's and everything i had to have for the surgery. then i was told medicaide/medicare dosent pay the surgeon so now i have to come up with $4000.00 the only way i can do that is to take out a mortgage on my home which i will have to pay back $25,000.00 as bad as i want this surgery i am having second thoughts about this loan.any oppinions will be appreciated.    — Brenda N. (posted on June 4, 2004)

June 3, 2004
Because some doctors need a down payment to pay for the initital incidental costs that are incurred before the surgery. Even tho I was covered for my surgery for by insurance I had to pay $2000 at my second pre op apt. And that money was for the incidentals that insurance did not pay. Keep in mind that next year your out of pocket expenses can be claimed on your income tax. My DH and I both had open RNY last year and were able to deduct $19,000 in out of pocket expenses on our income tax and we got it all back. I am a little confused on the two different dollar figures that you have in your question - I can understand the $4000 for the surgeon but what are you trying to ask us about the $25000 that is in your last sentance? Good luck. Christine open RNY 5/7/03 241/151/130 David open RNY 9/30/03 355/235/170ish
   — ChristineB

June 3, 2004
Also, sadly, some people rack up huge hospital bills and file bankruptcy. It forces the doctors to get money up front. Interest rates are pretty low on home equity lines, so it wouldn't be quite 25k. GOOD LUCK, SWEETIE :o)
   — ScottieB86

June 3, 2004
If you are coverd by "MEDICARE" - then I would look into getting into the HMO medicare in your area. HMO' have very little in patient deductables; and HMO' HAVE to cover what regular medicare covers - and medicare covers this surgery.
   — star .

June 4, 2004
Suggest you calll your Medicare and Medicaid providers. Medicare DOES cover WLS but you have to find a doctor who accepts them. Sounds like you have a surgeon who does NOT accept Medicare assignment. It shouldn't cost you anything but your standard Medicare co-pays. Nina in Maine
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 4, 2004
Brenda I was told by A couple of Dr they dont take medicade anymore because they do pay them enough,so the hospital bill and most of the testing they cover but the 2 dr I talked tohere said they needed to be paid up front TRY ANOTHER DR!!!!!!!The test you already have could be used I would think Good Luck
   — cindy B.

June 4, 2004
I understand your being upset about having to come up with $4000, but in no way should $4000 plus interest end up costing you $25,000 in the long run. Maybe if the long was for a 100 yr term but that's about it. I plugged in $4,000 paid back over 10 years at 10% interest comes to a montly payment of $52.86 and total interest paid of $2,343.24. So far from $25,000. If you are running into a situation where someone is saying the minimum mortagage they will do is $25,000 then what you need to do is get a home equity line of credit or loan. These can be written for much smaller amounts and the more equity you have the better an interest rate you can negotiate. I use 10% which is on the extreme high side, but wanted to make sure I used sort of a worst case scenario. Also with a home equity loan there are little or no closing costs versus a traditional mortgage. The closing costs an be put against the home equity loan or line so you don't even need to come up with any money. <p>Like others have said, most likely what you are running into is a sitation where the surgeon you are working with will not accept assignment, which he has the right to do. Personally I've seen some of the medicare reimbursements with my mom's stuff and I can see why some docs won't take that payment. On the other hand if they wouldn't overbill by 10 times in the first place, so they have a larger writ-off, maybe everything would be a little more reasonable. I would do a lot more checking into things before I would give up on the idea of surgery, if that is what you truly feel will work best for you. Good Luck and I hope things work out for you!
   — zoedogcbr

June 4, 2004
Don't be scared. I am going to guess that you're speaking about an equity loan rather than a mortgage. At any rate if you are fiscally responsible, and there are no prepayment penalties, you can't take the check for $25,000 give the surgeon his $4,000 and then in a month's time or so write the mortgage company a check for $21,000. You will then owe them a total of $4,000 plus interest I am going to guess interest on $4,000 over year is approximately between 2 and $300. I wish you all the best luck.
   — Robert L.

June 6, 2004
Brenda, most doctors accept whatever the insurer pays. Obviously, your surgeon does not. You do have other choices, as looking for another surgegon or paying out the $4,000 - I don't know what kind of credit you have that it would cost you $25,000 - unless you borrow from a loanshark - LOL
   — Anna M.