Question:
Where do I start for self pay?
Willing to pay for bariatric surgery myself. Who and where do I sign up with? My insurance company will not pay for the surgery but I am willing to pay out of pocket. Who do I turn to for help? — [Anonymous] (posted on February 9, 2002)
February 9, 2002
Save, save, save! I dont really know what you mean by "who and where
do I sign up with?". First, you may want to do a search in the gallery
under self pay and read all the posts. I am a self pay and although I live
in Idaho, I am going with a group from San Antonio. The scary costs come
in with the hospital. The $5100 for the surgeon is not so bad. The San
Antonio group has negotiated a fixed fee with the hospital so you know how
much it will be going in. Its around $13,500 for a lap procedure. This
includes your whole stay regardless if there are complications if you have
to stay longer. That was important to me because if you do have
complications, your hospital bill can turn into a $40-50,000 ordeal and I
am not willing to take that risk. There is a long waiting list for
insurance patients, but they shorten the wait for self payers. Let me know
if I can answer any other questions. I have been saving and puting the rest
on a credit card. I see it that I am paying for this surgery instead of a
new car.
— Julie D.
February 9, 2002
I agree with Julie....try to locate an experienced bariatric surgeon who
has a contractual relationship with the provider hospital. My surgeon's
all-inclusive fee for self-pay patients (surgeon, assistant, anesthesia,
and hospital) is approximately $18,700. This fee is constant even if there
are complications or extended length of stay. Beware of open-ended fee
structures which could balloon your costs to staggering figures if you
needed extra treatment or days of hospitalization. Good luck!
— Diana T.
February 9, 2002
Hi. I self-payed for my surgery as my insurance has a written exclusion. I
agree with the other 2 postings. Be sure there is a "capped" fee
in place to protect you from excessive costs. Some surgeons are willing to
set this up with hospital etc, but most do not have something in place for
those who self-pay. Go to my profile here on AMOS and scroll towards the
bottom. YOu will find a medical financing company that I used to help pay
for my surgery. They prefer to work directly through a surgeon's office and
approval is contingent upon verification of employment. Hope this can help
some. Good luck on your journey.
— lovebug2
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