Question:
Lap or Open RNY! which is cheaper?
From what I understand the laporoscopic(rny) is more expensive than the open procedure. Is it easier to get your insurance to approve the open because it is cheaper? I really would prefer the lap. But if with the open I have more of a chance to get approved then that is what I will go for. Please I need some advise.! — Jessica Hernandez (posted on August 13, 2001)
August 13, 2001
I doubt it matters approval wise. True Lap surgery costs more, but hospital
stays are generally shorter and with LAP theres little chance of needing a
second surgery to fix a hernia later. 30% of opens need a follow up surgery
for henis repair. So I would pick the one you want.
— bob-haller
August 13, 2001
Talk w/ your insurance and find out if they have stipulations on open or
lap and then find out if they drs that do them both in their plan. See
them both if you want and then decide along w/ a surgeon which is best for
you.
— Dawn R.
August 13, 2001
Hi there! I have to say that my insurance co won't cover Lap but they will
cover Open so I am doing Lap but I am paying an extra 1500 dols. Check
with your ins. co. to find out. Good luck!
— [Anonymous]
August 13, 2001
Both my primary and secondary insurance providers were very happy to
approve my lap RNY, and were quite open about the fact that it was a cost
issue for them....shorter hospitalization, fewer medications and post-op
complications, less chance of Intensive Care Unit days, etc... If your
insurance provider hesitates to approve a lap surgery, point out the cost
factors to them and you may see a change in attitude :-) My surgeon
specializes in laparascopic WLS, but his fee is the same if an open surgery
is required. Good luck!
— Diana T.
August 14, 2001
Actually, a lap procedure would be less expensive than an
open one. The docs surgical charge might be more; but, all
the other ancillary charges and the room charge would be
greatly reduced by having a lap. Some surgeons, don't do lap
....mine didn't. I really wanted him to do my surgery; so, I
went with the open and I don't regret my decision. Double
check with your insurer. I work in the finance area of a teaching
hospital and lap hernia repairs, appendectomies, hysterectomies...
etc. etc. are always less expensive that open procedures.
— [Anonymous]
August 14, 2001
My first consult was going to do a lap, and it would have been much more
expensive than the open. This is because the lap would have taken two
surgeons, and different operating equipment (they told me). I ended up
going for the open RNY, not because of the cost, but because it was a much
shorter wait to have an open than the lap (which was a 1-1/2 year waiting
list).
— Kristy J.
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