Question:
Self pay--what about possible complications???

I am so worried. I am self-pay and it took me a long time to save up for the surgery, which wasn't as expensive as I thought. BUT, now I'm getting worried. What if I develop complications, either right away or down the road? Will my insurance company pay or am I on my own (denied wls due to policy exclusion)? I really didn't think about it until now that I'm close to my surgery date. I haven't talked to my surgeon about it, either. My husband is scaring me with all the "what if's" and that we could end up in the poorhouse. Thoughts???    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 30, 2000)

October 30, 2000
Hi, Read you post and concern about possible additional costs. I live in Dallas and am self-pay also. I found a group of surgeons in San Antonio who do the surgery for a set fee and have contracted with Methodist hospital there for a set fee of $9,000.00 which includes the total surgery and the breakdown is close to $17,000.00 if not paying cash up-front. They also include in the cost any complications, with no additional costs. I was placed in Intensive Care for 1 1/2 days, due to heart problems, then transferred to Surgical ICU for the next 3 1/2 days (costs must be considerable) and I had to pay NOTHING ADDITIONAL. You might like to read my doctors web page at: www.sabariatric.com (this is in San Antonio and a superb website). Click on the Financial information and read their statement and see their set cash fees. You might want to consider asking your hospital if they have the same, or a similar program. If I can help you any more please Email me direct. Thom
   — Thom C.

October 30, 2000
You'll have to talk to your surgeon and your hospital to find out how it will work for you. I am self-pay also, and my doctor let me know that the insurance would not cover any complications from the surgery. I have to pay for the surgery upfront, but I did ask his billing lady if they would work with me on any additional costs and she said yes. The hospital will too. Like you I'm afraid of breaking my family financially, but I have to do this. I'm just praying for no complications! Good luck to you!
   — Gretchen T.

October 30, 2000
I was self-pay, and was very worried about complications, and causing real financial hardship to my family. I had to pay $19,350.00 up front as a deposit, and was in the hospital for 4 1/2 days. I had no complications and got out 2 days earlier than my dr. had estimated. At the end of my stay, the hospital gave me another bill for an additional $4,400.00. Had there been a problem, the hospital would have made payment arrangements with me. The hospitals are generally very good about payment of balances owed. Good Luck to you.
   — Cara S.