Question:
CIGNA PPO FEES How much are they?

How much are they and when do they need to be paid and do they finance that fee? I have a surgery date, but now I am told that I have to come up with 1000-1500 dollars before I can have the surgery. Is this correct amount? Please let me know if this is normal?    — Catherine P. (posted on May 30, 2000)

May 30, 2000
I have Cigna PPO and all I was out was $200 for a copay to the hospital and I paid that after Cigna had paid their part.
   — Julie M.

May 30, 2000
I also had my surgery under Cigna PPO and only had a $100 copay. It probably depends on the plan you carry, but it should be written out somewhere in the handbook. (Usually your employer will have a copy if you don't.) Good luck!
   — Beth B.

May 30, 2000
There are big differences between employer's contracts with health carriers. There's also HMO and PPO contracts. PPO contracts are good, because they won't restrict your access to physicians, but the out-of-pocket costs are usually higher. This contrasts with an HMO, much more restrictive in choice, with smaller out-of-pocket costs, usually just co-payments. It sounds like you've been quoted your out-of-pocket annual maximum, which you'll likely satisfy if you have surgery. This is just something to keep in mind, not anything that you should have to pay upfront. It just means that after all the bills are submitted and paid, you will not be out-of-pocket anything more than this figure. Lots of docs and hospitals let you work out payment arrangements to deal with this large sum.
   — Lorri S.

May 31, 2000
I have CIGNA PPO too, and I went to an out-of-network surgeon, so I ended up paying about 3,000 out-of-pocket. But, I didn't have to pay any of it up front. The doctors and hospital waited for CIGNA to pay their part, then billed me for the remainder. Payment plans would depend on your surgeon and hospital and whether they are willing to do that for you.
   — Lynn K.