Question:
Does anyone know where this good information about self-paying?

I have read alot about insurance and insurance coverage. But, I have not seen alot of discussion from those who have self paid. I dont have insurance and really need this surgery. If I start insurance, I will have to deal with pre-existing conditions. I need more help on self pay. Anyone?    — Julie D. (posted on April 7, 2001)

April 6, 2001
Julie, your a little vague with your question. I live in Oh and I am starting out as self-pay. My ins. co denied me and I am appealing. I paid $9600.00 for the hosp. 5500.00 for the Dr. and 585.00 for the Anesthesiologist. The hosp. said there would be no additional costs unless there were complications. Their policy is not to charge cash patients for every gauze, suture, pill, etc. Just that flat fee. that includes 2-3 days hosp. stay. Hope this helps. Any questions you can email me.
   — Karen R.

April 6, 2001
There are a few good things about self-pay. The first is that you can shop around for a doctor and a price that fit your needs. That is what I did. I looked at every Dr. in the state of Florida that did the LAP RNY. I compared their experience and their charges. I decided on Dr. Vaughan in Jupiter Florida. His charge was $21,000 which covered everything. He paid the hospital and radiologist and anathesiologist(?). I had many complications. I had a bleed which required 4 units of blood. Both of my lungs partially collapsed, and I was moved to Intensive Cardiac Care because of a condition call SupraVentricular Tachicardia where my heart raced to 180 beats per minute. Not good with a bleed, you bleed at triple time. I was in the hospital 5 days. When I mentioned to him that I knew it would cost more than we had agreed upon, he told me that it would NOT because his deal with the hospital was, 1 indemnity, 1 charge. I guess that meant that whatever happened while I was in there was covered. I have not received any bills whatsoever. The second thing with self-pay is that most doctors are willing to bump you to the head of the class if you are paying with cash. I had my consultation on Thursday, March 1, 2001, and my surgery was scheduled for Wednesday, March 7. He said he didn't operate on Wednesday's, but if I could come up with that kind of money without the help of insurance, he could certainly accomodate my schedule. I am 4 1/2 weeks post-op and have dropped 34 lbs. Despite the complications, I am very satisfied with the Dr. and the hospital. Good luck and good health to you,
   — Dorothy T.

April 7, 2001
If you dont have insurance, it may be a good idea to get it before the surgery. First of all, if you get insurance with a group policy such as through an employer, there are no medical exclusions. My husband had prostate cancer and when Prudential was bought out by Aetna, they raised our premium 4 fold and reduced our benefits so severely I wanted to cry. I didnt know what to do because of our medical history. Our only solution was to sign up for the group plan that we have for our employees at the other business we own... and that turned out to be a great plan with NO medical exclusions because it is a group policy. I didnt even know about this surgery at that time...and it turns out that I sailed through the approval in 9 days with United Healthcare is great. Second... you should get some kind of insurance pre op even if you do self pay because if you have any kind of complications they will add to your medical exclusions and you will never be able to be insured. Find any job with medical benefits just so you are covered... you want insurance in case of major problems and you want to get it before the possibility of having major problems.
   — [Anonymous]

October 19, 2004
Hi I was having trouble getting the money to pay for my plastic surgery and was searching and searching and wasting money on programs when I came across the one I used. I had the money to pay for my surgery within 30 days and all it cost me was 11.50 to get started. Heres the address. http://www.business.visitorbuilder.com/?refer=12546890R6733952S
   — [Deactivated Member]