Question:
My self-pay costs are starting to look great than I'd thought.
I just got my surgery date - April 16. The original info from my surgeon on self-pay said to expect a total $23K cost for the LAP-BAND. Last month I got a home equity loan for that amount. The surgeon's fee is $6K. I just talked to the hospital and they said to expect a facilities fee of $17.5-18.5K though many have been lower. But there will also be the anesthesiologist, plus insurance may not pay for my $2K sleep study. Yikes! I'm getting nervous. The hospital requires an $11K deposit and gives a big 3% discount if you pay right away rather than needing a payment plan. This is making me very anxious because I'm all set for paying on the home equity loan but wasn't counting on having to pay on other medical bills too. Any wisdom? — sjwilde (posted on March 24, 2003)
March 24, 2003
Your date is getting close but have you thought of checking out other
doctors? I've heard that there are some that have set amounts that are all
inclusive and protect you in case of complications. Just an idea. The
other is to leave as much of the doctors bill unpaid as possible. In my
experience they are much more likely to let you make small payments than a
hospital.
— Shelly S.
March 24, 2003
I'm a self pay too, although I got the RNY. My total costs were 13K &
that included everything - hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist. In my
humble opinion I'd look for another surgeon & possibly consider going
out of state or country. Good luck to you whatever happens!
— LionGirl2k
March 24, 2003
I was self-pay too (paid up front, remortgaged the house), and my total
came to $11K in Rochester, NY, for a lap RNY (including hospital,
anaesthesia, and surgeon's fee). Maybe you should call around for a better
deal? Good luck!
Patricia 285/233/180 lap RNY dec 18/02
— Patricia E.
March 24, 2003
Hello~ I have some GREAT info on my profile about Self-Pay that would save
you ALOT of money. 3 Surgeons in Little Rock,Arkansas, and Dr.Aguirre in
Ensenada,Mexico. I also have that much to pay on a WLS Surgeon, but when I
started researching I was shocked at how much I could save even after all
the travel expenses, there's no-way I would pay that kind of money
now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please read my profile and research some of the Surgeons
on there. All the information you need to do the research is on there. I
really hopes this helps you out alot! Best Wishes and Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!
Latrisha
— latrishanickle
March 24, 2003
Hi~ Dr. Aguirre does only open-Rny. Your BMI is 36 so I would call first to
see if any of the Surgeons on my profile will accept you as a patient with
a BMI of 36
— latrishanickle
March 25, 2003
Dr. Pilcher in San Antonio, Texas is 15,000 for open RNY (includes hospital
and all) and I believe it is approximately 20,000 for the Lap.
— Dana W.
March 25, 2003
If the sleep study is ordered correctly there is no reason you should have
to pay for it. It should be ordered with hypersomnia or something else
that is related to whatever symptoms you might have. The pulmonolgist can
get creative without lying if they want to.
<p>My total costs billed to and covered by insurance was just over
$25,000 for open RNY. Usually self-pays are less. The facility fees seems
awfully high especially for a lap band because you are not as likely to be
in the hospital as long as an open RNY. You don't want to go totally on
cost but if you can find a good surgeon you are comfortable with that is
less I sure would go for it, even if it meant a month or two delay.
$5-$10,000 is a lot of money. Also a lot of self-pay docs give you a total
package price (that covers like 4 or 5 days) and not these unknowns. I
would also be shaking in my boots if I did not have a maximum number to
focus on. Obviously if you have any significant complications and are in
longer the package deals don't cover that, but that seems to be fairly rare
these days. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
March 27, 2003
I had the DS on 03-03-03 in AZ. Total cost was under $13 thousand Self pay.
i would think about looking around a bt more. Good luck
— nicole P.
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