Question:
Has anyone had any unexpected cost to pay before surgery?

I have been approved for my surgery thru the insurance.I went and paid the surgeon a chunk on Monday and thought that was all I would have to pay on this date and had understood the rest I could make in payments.I left the surgeons office and went to register at the hospital and was told I had to pay a few more thousand before surgery which was scheduled for Tuesday at 5 am.So since I had this unexpected cost I had to cancel for Tuesday.Now I am going to have to wait another month after going thru the liquid diet and everything .I am soooo disappointed!    — davonjack (posted on January 13, 2010)

January 13, 2010
How frustrating and disappointing!! My surgery is on Jan.22 and I certainly have not been made aware of this. Keep us posted
   — ChristysJourney

January 13, 2010
Contact your surgeon's office about this. If everything wasn't stated UPFRONT as in your insurance covering the hospital and now your out some money. Cantact a Lawyer as this sounds of fraud.
   — Michael Eak

January 13, 2010
Don't just sit back and keep paying out money. Get a written list of the charges from the hospital, surgeon and insurance company. There may be double billing (by mistake).
   — Muggs

January 13, 2010
No I did not have to pay anything but my co-pays and the money that hey tell you you have to pay at the first visit and then I asked what was the $250.00 for and they said that it was for materials and meetings at the hospital and I think that should come out of the Doctors pocket, all the money that the surgery cost the have enough to spare. And that was non-refundable.
   — maconit

January 14, 2010
I knew that I was responsible for the coisurance portion of my bill for the endoscopy and the surgeon's charges for doing it which came to $202. I was also told the same day I would be responsible for an additional$647 before the surgery was done. This is assuming it is done at his office and not the hospital. (he's part of a surgical center). Each time I go to see him its $70 and each of the consults was $70. Its still a far cry from the total cost of the procedure, however, I was shocked when I learned billing was not allowed, becuase this procedure is coinsidered "elective"
   — kchooker

January 14, 2010
your surgeon should of told you about the hospital portion. I HAD to pay my surgeon 457.00 and the hospital 900.00 on the same day when I registered like you. but I was told up front when they had scheduled my surgery. They get an estimated amount of what the ins. will not cover and if you over pay they will refund you. I am almost positve that they do not let you make payments.I am so sorry that you had to rescheduled. good luck..............Dawn C.
   — dswing

January 14, 2010
I had to pay 250.00 then when I went in I had 125.00 which was for materal I was told the 250 was to cover my co-pays but everytime I gone in I have to pay. So I feel I should get my 250.00 back.
   — kaybusk

January 15, 2010
I got a call from the hospital (insurance covered my MD completely) and they required 2450 in estimated costs before they would schedule the surgery. If it had not been for my Mom, I would have had to cancel. I only spent two nights in the hospital but I have had no contact to give me any money back. In one week I will call them and ask for a detailed bill. Hang in there, the result is definatly worth the BS along the way.
   — tlscannell

January 15, 2010
I was also told after the good news that I would hae to pay a chunck of money. This is frustrating but just hang in there the gift is in the end. It has to be.
   — Takisha Williams

January 16, 2010
I had to pay my co pays for the visits, and then a seperate hospital bill before the surgery. I was able to give them 500 on the day of surgery and am now making monthly payments. It just depends on your insurance and the hospital. If it's a private hospital they are going to be stricter than others. Don't give up there is always a way to get things done. You may have to make payments like me but it will be well worth it. It started at 509lbs and now way 322lbs. My surgery was on August 11, 2009. I was able to return to work six weeks later and start paying the payments. Please don't give up.
   — saucedoj78

January 17, 2010
We had to pay for 2 sleep studies that were not completely covered to the tune of about 1K. Had hubby not been in such a hurry to get this done we could have had the VA do this and avoided the copays.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 24, 2010
My insurence covered everything ( medical mutuel). I visit a couple of bariatric hospital before choosing cleveland clinic and some tried to charge me 450.00. So of course I picked Cleveland Clinic and every thing was covered I just paid a 1 $10.00 office visit.
   — Mrscrprice

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