Question:
How do you afford it all?

I was recently approved for my abdominalplasty but every surgeon I've gone to now (4) have come up with an amount that I would have to pay out of pocket before the surgery could be completed. We're talking at least $3,000. I don't have a 401K to borrow against, nor do I have a home or alot of goods to sell. My credit is shot so financing is not an option. I know I can't possibly be the only one like this out there, so what I'm wondering is how does so many people afford to get the reconstructive surgery after we lose our weight? I'm even beginning to think about hosting car washes to raise money at this point. And is it a normal thing for the doc's to ask for money upfront even though insurance is paying? Thanks for your help!    — Christie N. (posted on October 21, 2003)

October 21, 2003
I am working 3 jobs to pay for mine coming up in December. My husband is using his Flex-spending account thru is job. Does your company offer flex-spending? From what I understand its like a loan you pay yourself back from. I think they give it to you up front and then they take so much out of your paycheck for the next year or two until it is paid off. Ask your Human Resourse person about flex spending. Good luck to you!
   — danabky

October 21, 2003
I was really concerned about the amount I would have to come up with for my wls. I called my insurance company and they told me that my out-of-pocket (oop)amount was $2000. That means that the most I will have to pay is $2000 and that includes my deductible. Insurance pays after that. You might check into your oop and ask if they will just accept that. Also, lets say you have an 80/20 policy, you paying 20% of the bill. The amt that your doctor will bill the insurance company will probably have a contractual discount taken off of it. Therefore your 20% should be reduced and you should get a refund. If that's confusing just email me and I will try to explain it better.
   — JaimeO

October 22, 2003
Do you have a PPO or HMO plan?? If you do and these doctors are in your network, you should find out what your portion of the cost will be after insurance pays so that you are only paying them the contracted amount. If they are in your network of providers, they can only charge you the difference between what you plan pays and the contracted amount. For example, your tummy tuck costs $5000 for the surgeon. Because this doctor is in your network of providers, the contracted amount between the insurance company and the doctor is $1500. Based on what type of insurance plan you have, you would be responsible for the deductible (if it hasn't been met) and coinsurance or copay amount. So if you are typically responsible for 20% and your insurance company pays the other 80%, your responsibility to the doctor would be 20% of the $1500 or $300. You need to check your insurance plan.
   — Patty H.