Question:
I've heard Bariatric Treatment Centers do not accept self pay patients. T or F? Why?
— Linda J. (posted on July 19, 2000)
July 19, 2000
I have called-just last week. No, they do NOT accept self-pay patients.
They are, though, more than willing to help you fight your insurance
battles.
— Rikki M.
July 19, 2000
Many, many surgical weight loss centers accept self pays. The object here
is to find the ones that will and then speak with them regarding the terms.
If your reading a lot of internet chat room boards you will see this
refered to many times. My suggestion is to read those boards and then
contact the people who posted them. I don't know where you live, and maybe
that will make a difference, but i cannot imagine that if you really start
looking, and not be afraid of looking outside your immediate area, you
should prevail. Good Luck to you!
Kerri R.
[email protected]
— Kerri R.
July 20, 2000
Lina,
the Bariatric Center I went to { Rocky Mountain Assoc Of Salt Lake City
,Ut.} accepts Self- pay pts. Of course, you pay the total amount up front
before they will do the surgery. I Can't remember exactly how much they
figure it will cost. A lot less than most states. You pay the set amount
and then if you "rack up" more than the set amount you pay for it
following surgery. Good Luck. Dani
— Dani J.
July 20, 2000
Yes, it's true, BTC does not accept self-pay patients. The problem with
self-pay is that if you develop any kind of complications, even just a few
extra days in the hospital can add up to huge amounts of money. It's
better to have the protection of health insurance behind you just in case.
What BTC suggested to me was to buy an individual health insurance policy
from a company that covers WLS. That policy would most likely be very
expensive, but still cheaper than self-paying for the surgery, and much,
much cheaper than paying if I had any complications.
— Lynn K.
May 6, 2003
I was just to an orientation meeting last night and the center that I am
going to (MMPC in Grand Raids, MI) does not accept self pay as well as BTC
for the same reasons...........unexpected costs can be extensive! You
might have the money for the surgery and pre and post costs, but you never
know.......... My suggestion would be to just get some ins. for the
surgery, or have the center that you are with help you with appeals etc...
remember they WANT to help you to succeed and they will try.
— patti L.
May 16, 2003
I echo what everyone else said, BTC won't accept Self-Pay patients. They
won't accept anyone without insurance approval for surgery first, even for
your initial consultation. They are also unwilling to help those with
Insurance Exclusions. "You must do that yourself" is what I was
told when I called. I am still hoping to win my appeal, because BTC is
where I want to go.
— amie
August 1, 2004
You know at one time BTC did not accept self pay, but now that they are the
Barix Clinics now accepts self pay. The total cost is $25,500. They said
that if you slef pay you get some type of discount, this is what they told
me about 2 weeks ago. I hope this info helps.
— Dymone
August 23, 2004
Yes, I am a self pay patient. The $25500 IS the discount. It's normally
like $40K. They need the payment at the time of preop testing ( a week
before the surgery).
— Dori S.
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