Question:
My Insurance company has declinded my twice.

has any one ever paid cash for there surgery? How much did it cost? and where did you have it done? I really want this surgery    — Tammy U. (posted on February 20, 2004)

February 20, 2004
Why did your insurance deny you? I was denied twice but the third time was the charm. Maybe you still have a chance that insurance will pay. Either way, good luck to you. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02
   — Siddy I.

February 20, 2004
My best friend paid cash. Had surgery with Dr Baker in Fridley MN. (great doc!) She paid $15,000 3 years ago. Hers was an exclusion, a hard thing to fight. What was the reason you were denied?
   — ZZ S.

February 21, 2004
Thank goodness my insurance company is paying for my surgery that I'm having 3/17/04. But, my surgical group gave me information on the cash price. The sugrical group charges roughly $9,250 for the initial consultation, surgeon and assistant surgeon fees, and education class. Plus, the hospital is about $22,000. They didn't provide a price for the anesthesiologist so I'm not sure about that. Anyway, the total is $31,250 plus the anesthesiologist.
   — Julie Rich

February 21, 2004
I didn't pay cash, I was lucky enough to have insurance pay for it. However the hospital was $26,000, the surgeon was $12,000 and the anestheshia doc was about $1500. Plus all the pre-op and post-op visits and tests were easily over $2000. I think this is more expensive than many other doctors. There are few doctors doing this procedure where I live, so that could be part of the higher cost? I had lap RNY and was in the hospital for less than 2 days. My surgeon is located in North Central Indiana. Good luck! Amy -90lbs Lap RNY 9/24/03
   — Amy M.

February 24, 2004
I would find a private pay insurance and pay the premiums for that untill after the surgery. There is always a way around these roadblocks and paying premiums untill surgery would be less expensive I think. Good luck to ya.
   — Sharon H.

February 24, 2004
Tammy, with a BMI of 35.2, I can imagine why you were declined,unless you have some very serious co-morbidities. If you find a surgeon who will do your surgery, speak to him or the office manager about private pay. The other posters sound like they are talking about billed charges, which may be a lot more than you might be charged if they know you will be a self-pay.
   — koogy