Question:
I am on Disability hoping to soon get a date for surgery. I just found out that my

secondary insurance through the state of MD was canceled and Iwas wondering if anybody would know how medicare works with people having this surgery. I am planning on Having Surgery at the Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring MD . and I was wondering about the 20% fees that medicare dosen't cover about how much money would that be that I would have to pay.    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 13, 2002)

January 13, 2002
i'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR 20% WOULD BE CAUSE THE PRICE RANGE VARIES MY SURGERY COST 35, 000 I HAD MEDICARE, BUT I ALSO HAD A QMB CARD WHICH JUST COVER MY DEDUCTABLES AND MY 20%. i DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH THAT RIGHT AWAY. I'M SURE THEY WILL LET YOU MAKE PAYMENTS. IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE A LOT HERE IN KY WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED A SPEND DOWN CARD WHICH HELPS PEOPLE WITH THEIR MEDICAL BILLS.(AFTER YOU GET THEM OF COURSE) PERHAPS YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT. GOOD LUCK.
   — sherri W.

January 13, 2002
Well each surgery cost a different amount and varies from state to state. I am on Medicare and I was told I would have to pay 10%-15%. Generally a financial advisor will work with you, or so I have been told. Medicare covers a flat rate..all else is basically considered a write off [if the Surgeon chooses that.] So in a sense it is a charitable contribution. My Surgeon just decided after a 6 month wait that he would no longer accept Medicare. He did not tell me this at the consultation. So I wasted alot of time. I found another Surgeon so hopefully he will, but I have not been promised anything as of yet. I have to wait for a consultation appt first. In the meantime I have to see a video of Carnie Wilson in March. Call your Surgeon and ask them personally because no one can say for sure how he'll choose to handle monies owed to him. Hopes this helps somewhat.
   — TerryS