Question:
Lap or Open RNY! which is cheaper?

From what I understand the laporoscopic(rny) is more expensive than the open procedure. Is it easier to get your insurance to approve the open because it is cheaper? I really would prefer the lap. But if with the open I have more of a chance to get approved then that is what I will go for. Please I need some advise.!    — Jessica Hernandez (posted on August 13, 2001)

August 13, 2001
I doubt it matters approval wise. True Lap surgery costs more, but hospital stays are generally shorter and with LAP theres little chance of needing a second surgery to fix a hernia later. 30% of opens need a follow up surgery for henis repair. So I would pick the one you want.
   — bob-haller

August 13, 2001
Talk w/ your insurance and find out if they have stipulations on open or lap and then find out if they drs that do them both in their plan. See them both if you want and then decide along w/ a surgeon which is best for you.
   — Dawn R.

August 13, 2001
Hi there! I have to say that my insurance co won't cover Lap but they will cover Open so I am doing Lap but I am paying an extra 1500 dols. Check with your ins. co. to find out. Good luck!
   — [Anonymous]

August 13, 2001
Both my primary and secondary insurance providers were very happy to approve my lap RNY, and were quite open about the fact that it was a cost issue for them....shorter hospitalization, fewer medications and post-op complications, less chance of Intensive Care Unit days, etc... If your insurance provider hesitates to approve a lap surgery, point out the cost factors to them and you may see a change in attitude :-) My surgeon specializes in laparascopic WLS, but his fee is the same if an open surgery is required. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

August 14, 2001
Actually, a lap procedure would be less expensive than an open one. The docs surgical charge might be more; but, all the other ancillary charges and the room charge would be greatly reduced by having a lap. Some surgeons, don't do lap ....mine didn't. I really wanted him to do my surgery; so, I went with the open and I don't regret my decision. Double check with your insurer. I work in the finance area of a teaching hospital and lap hernia repairs, appendectomies, hysterectomies... etc. etc. are always less expensive that open procedures.
   — [Anonymous]

August 14, 2001
My first consult was going to do a lap, and it would have been much more expensive than the open. This is because the lap would have taken two surgeons, and different operating equipment (they told me). I ended up going for the open RNY, not because of the cost, but because it was a much shorter wait to have an open than the lap (which was a 1-1/2 year waiting list).
   — Kristy J.