Question:
Can anyone with this same insurance tell me their out of pocket expenses?

I have BCBS Federal Employee Program Basic and I am having the VSG on Aug 4th. I would like to know what copays and other fees they had to pay to the hospital/surgeon for surgery.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on June 21, 2008)

June 20, 2008
I also have basis BC/BS Federal. Here is what I had to pay out of pocket for just the surgery protion. I had to pay the surgeon $200 before surgery. The co pay is actually $100 for the surgeon and $100 extra if yours has a co-surgeon. The hospital copay is $100 a day for up to 5 days. My hospital required me to pay $300 up front before surgery. I am a single mom of 4 kids and it was a lot of money for me to come up with at one time. I had my surgery in September 2007. I am now eighing 132lbs.....I am more active with my kids......I have gained so much confidence......I am off blood pressure meds......and my blood sugar levels are great (they were not saying I was diabetic before surgery but it was borderline). This surgery has given me my life back. I wish you the very best of luck. Hope this helps.
   — elenaw

June 21, 2008
I had the BCBS of Florida (not Federal Employee Program) at the time of my WLS in 2006. They didn't cover ANY of my surgical costs and I paid $19,000 out of pocket. So, whatever your out of pocket expenses are, be thankful if you have insurance coverage to pay for this life saving surgery. Good luck to you, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

June 21, 2008
I also had BC/BS Federal basic plan and they paid everything but the little co-pays like Elena said. It cost me $300 for the hospital and $100 for the doctor. My hospital did not make me pay up front though. I think they paid great seeing as how my total bill including doctor and hospital costs was around $75,000!!!!!!!!!!!
   — CAMFR

June 22, 2008
Hi I have BCBS Fed in NC. I had to pay 10% to surgeon ($600), $100 to psych eval, $200 to dietition consultant, $100 copay to hospital. Total $1000 out of pocket for the best thing I ever did!
   — debramc

June 22, 2008
Thank you for the response Elaine W. It was very helpful.
   — [Deactivated Member]