Question:
I've heard Bariatric Treatment Centers do not accept self pay patients. T or F? Why?

   — Linda J. (posted on July 19, 2000)

July 19, 2000
I have called-just last week. No, they do NOT accept self-pay patients. They are, though, more than willing to help you fight your insurance battles.
   — Rikki M.

July 19, 2000
Many, many surgical weight loss centers accept self pays. The object here is to find the ones that will and then speak with them regarding the terms. If your reading a lot of internet chat room boards you will see this refered to many times. My suggestion is to read those boards and then contact the people who posted them. I don't know where you live, and maybe that will make a difference, but i cannot imagine that if you really start looking, and not be afraid of looking outside your immediate area, you should prevail. Good Luck to you! Kerri R. [email protected]
   — Kerri R.

July 20, 2000
Lina, the Bariatric Center I went to { Rocky Mountain Assoc Of Salt Lake City ,Ut.} accepts Self- pay pts. Of course, you pay the total amount up front before they will do the surgery. I Can't remember exactly how much they figure it will cost. A lot less than most states. You pay the set amount and then if you "rack up" more than the set amount you pay for it following surgery. Good Luck. Dani
   — Dani J.

July 20, 2000
Yes, it's true, BTC does not accept self-pay patients. The problem with self-pay is that if you develop any kind of complications, even just a few extra days in the hospital can add up to huge amounts of money. It's better to have the protection of health insurance behind you just in case. What BTC suggested to me was to buy an individual health insurance policy from a company that covers WLS. That policy would most likely be very expensive, but still cheaper than self-paying for the surgery, and much, much cheaper than paying if I had any complications.
   — Lynn K.

May 6, 2003
I was just to an orientation meeting last night and the center that I am going to (MMPC in Grand Raids, MI) does not accept self pay as well as BTC for the same reasons...........unexpected costs can be extensive! You might have the money for the surgery and pre and post costs, but you never know.......... My suggestion would be to just get some ins. for the surgery, or have the center that you are with help you with appeals etc... remember they WANT to help you to succeed and they will try.
   — patti L.

May 16, 2003
I echo what everyone else said, BTC won't accept Self-Pay patients. They won't accept anyone without insurance approval for surgery first, even for your initial consultation. They are also unwilling to help those with Insurance Exclusions. "You must do that yourself" is what I was told when I called. I am still hoping to win my appeal, because BTC is where I want to go.
   — amie

August 1, 2004
You know at one time BTC did not accept self pay, but now that they are the Barix Clinics now accepts self pay. The total cost is $25,500. They said that if you slef pay you get some type of discount, this is what they told me about 2 weeks ago. I hope this info helps.
   — Dymone

August 23, 2004
Yes, I am a self pay patient. The $25500 IS the discount. It's normally like $40K. They need the payment at the time of preop testing ( a week before the surgery).
   — Dori S.