Self pay- my doc doesn't do BLIS insurance!

What do self payers do if their surgeon doesn't have BLIS insurance? Its one thing to shell out $16K for the surgery, but what if I, say, get dehydrated and wind up in the hospital for a couple days- or get a stricture down the road? With the price of hospital stays, it could bankrupt me and my family. I am considering switching to another doc in the area that has BLIS, but can I do all my preop with my current doc because insurance will pay for that, and then switch just for the surgery to the doc my insurance won't pay for? (I'm doing sleeve but Tricare will only pay for RNY. So far they have paid for my preop stuff but when its time for sleeve surgery, they stop paying because they don't cover it yet) What do I do? Any suggestions?

Check with your insurance regarding post op complications. If they cover any type of WLS they may cover post op complications as well. The only time I have seen post op care not covered was if wls was an exclusion...period.

The same was true with me. My doctor did not carry BLIS insurance but I really wanted him because he is the top surgeon in this area. Therefore, I took my chances and, with the grace of God, I had no complications.

I understand your concern, however, because those were my initial thoughts. You really could bankrupt your family if things go wrong. However, my work policy specified that they cover no WLS nor any complications that resulted from such. If your policy does not have this exclusion, it is possible that they will cover the complications that result (if it should occur), although they would not pay for your surgery.

Place a call into your insurance company and just verify. Best of luck to you! :o)

Because of your post, I called. They will cover complications regardless of them paying for surgery or not. They also told me to submit even though they don't cover it and it might possibly get covered. (Maybe because its Tricare and Medicare now pays? Tricare usually follows suit) Thanks for the great advice!
Be well

Glad to hear that; that's AWESOME! Best wishes to you and hopefully you won't have to be a self pay! If not, then at least you will have any complications covered.

I just thank God for no complications because I could have really been in major debt if I had. God has a way of working out everything :o).

I will call. Thank you so much for the info.

2 words my dear: switch doctor - I was self pay and would nit have taken the chance... Also BLIS is awarded to doctors 1) often associated with Centers if Excellence and 2) extremely low complication rates... Research a bit more. What state are u in?

I'm in CT. I found out Tricare will cover any complications regardless of if they paid for surgery or not. They said they don't consider pre-exisiting when covering so it won't be an issue. My doc office said they don't have BLIS insurance because no one has ever needed it there. (?)

 what exactly is BLIS insurance?

Blis is insurance a surgeon can provide. You can buy it if you are self pay because most times if the insurance company does not cover the surgery, they will not cover complications either. A few nights extra in the hospital can bankrupt a person!