Question:
Hospital wants 20% up front for surgery cost.

My surgery is one week away and now I have learned the hospital wants 20% of the surgery cost before I can have surgery. Can they do this?? Has anyone else had this problem??    — psstanz (posted on April 24, 2001)

April 24, 2001
Is that because you have a PPO that only pays 80%? I would try working something out with the hospital. Perhaps you can pay a third now, a third the day of your surgery, and a third after. That's a lot of money, though. See if you absolutely must pay prior to your date. Try talking to a supervisor at the hospital. I'm so sorry. I hope it works out.
   — PT LawMom

April 24, 2001
I do not think they are allowed to ask for it up front...but i am not 100%. call the hospital and find out exactly how much they want and why. if you have insureance, they can only reasonably expect you to pay your copay. do you know what your copay is??? call your insurance company and find out if they are allowed to do this. most hospitals usualy work out a payment plan. check it out.
   — Kathy831

April 25, 2001
Hi, I'm having surgery on May 11,2001. My surgery is at the Fresno Surgery Center. When they called to confirm my surgery date they also wanted my 20%. I have pers choice blue cross ppo through the state of california 80/20. my portion was only $700.00 but, now a lady I have been talking to who has the same insurace as me, they only required half of the 20% which was $350 go figure same insurance same hospital on the same day and two differnt responses. I guess it's all in who you talk to. Good Luck
   — LAURIE W.