Question:
Has anyone paid cash for their surgery???

Hello everyone, I was wondering has anyone paid cash for their surgery?? I have my oper. date on 8/12/02. Since I have no insurance, I will have to pay cash. To my surprise the hosp. bill is must larger than the Dr.'s fee. Can anyone share their experiences with me. I would greatly appreciate it. Also will anyone will like to be E-mail or chat buddies?? Thanx everyone =o)    — Irma O. (posted on July 19, 2002)

July 19, 2002
I am a self pay--insurance would not approve--long story there My bill is $12.500 for the hospital-- luckily I called in May before they went up to 20k and they are honoring that price, the surgeon and assistant are 4563 and the aneths. is 1200
   — Linda L.

July 19, 2002
Hey there! I was also a self pay...the Doctor was 5.000, the hospital bill was 20.000 ish. Im not sure of the rest. It was close to 35.000 total. This was in South Carolina .... Be well, Rhonda
   — Rhonda M.

July 19, 2002
Surgeon's fee: $6,000. Hospital fee: $8,000. Anesthesiologist's fee: $1200. Pre-op testing was paid for by insurance, except for my bloodwork (which I just found out about), and that was $380. I'll be getting bills I'm sure for post-op bloodwork, too. So, all together it'll probably be about $16,000. Good luck to you =)
   — KelBurt

July 19, 2002
Surgeon & Assistants fee - $4,800.00, Anesthesiologist - $1,700.00, Hospital fee - $19,000.00, Vitamins & Medicines to leave the hospital - $250.00 - the only surprise I had was an additional $4,000 + dollars added to my bill at the hospital - even though it was a "normal" 2-day stay with no complications was for them to refill the staple gun during surgery. It's crazy - I tried to bargain with them but there was very little give. I thought about just letting my credit go bad and tell them where to stick the additional requested money for staples but I didn't - I paid them off. Feel free to email me if you'd like - I'd be glad to visit more if you feel like it.
   — Lisa J.

July 20, 2002
Several of the members of my support group were self-pay. Each of them went to the hospitals and physicians in ADVANCE and negotiated a specific amount. Anything over the amount negotiated they did not have to pay!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 21, 2002
I had my surgery this past March and had to pay cash. My total out of pocket fees from the surgeon, to hospital fees, to pre-op testing was $23,000. It took all my savings and a little help from my great mom but I managed to scrap it all up. I know it sounds like (and is )alot of money but like my mom told me " You have to invest in yourself". I was real leary about using my life savings, but I think I made the right decision in the long run. Money can always be made but once your quality to life is gone there isent anything anybody can do. Good luck!
   — Angie S.

July 21, 2002
Another cash self-pay here. Surgery was 9/21/01. Surgeon was 4200 (1/2 up front), hospital 16,800 (80% up front), anesthetist 1200, follow-up labs were and are extra. I used some of my retirement funds. As I have said elsewhere, what's the point of having retirement funds if you're too sick to enjoy your retirement? Good luck to you. Margie B
   — Marjorie B.