Question:
Any doctors in Florida that perfrom WLS for self pay?

Do any of these doctors make you pay up front or is there a payment plan you can select after having the surgery?    — jmg0974 (posted on December 26, 2001)

December 26, 2001
My doctor is Dr. Barry Haicken in Largo, FL (Tampa Bay area). Talking to a few people that are self pay--here\'s how it breaks down. Dr. Haicken requires 6300 upfront. That includes his and his partner in the operating room. The hospital that Dr. Haicken does his surgery is Morton Plant Mease in Clearwater. The hospital (as I understand it) does have a payment plan. Dr. H. writes a prescription estimating time under anesteshia. Then, when you call the anesteshia dept., they charge you for that time. Usually you have to ask that they include the central line because they tend to bill you for that after your surgery! Then, you call the hospital and you get a discounted rate. This is some kind of arrangement that Dr. H. has arranged with them. The money paid is good wether you\'re in 2 days or 20 days. But, a re-visit could result in another bill. Total, I have heard of people paying appx. 15,000. Good Luck.
   — Kristin R.

September 21, 2003
Miami, Fl. I paid Baptist Hospital $15000. and Dr. Anthony Gonzales $5000 for gastric bypass surgery.
   — [Deactivated Member]