Question:
Self pay--what about possible complications???
I am so worried. I am self-pay and it took me a long time to save up for the surgery, which wasn't as expensive as I thought. BUT, now I'm getting worried. What if I develop complications, either right away or down the road? Will my insurance company pay or am I on my own (denied wls due to policy exclusion)? I really didn't think about it until now that I'm close to my surgery date. I haven't talked to my surgeon about it, either. My husband is scaring me with all the "what if's" and that we could end up in the poorhouse. Thoughts??? — [Anonymous] (posted on October 30, 2000)
October 30, 2000
Hi, Read you post and concern about possible additional costs. I live in
Dallas and am self-pay also. I found a group of surgeons in San Antonio
who do the surgery for a set fee and have contracted with Methodist
hospital there for a set fee of $9,000.00 which includes the total surgery
and the breakdown is close to $17,000.00 if not paying cash up-front. They
also include in the cost any complications, with no additional costs. I
was placed in Intensive Care for 1 1/2 days, due to heart problems, then
transferred to Surgical ICU for the next 3 1/2 days (costs must be
considerable) and I had to pay NOTHING ADDITIONAL. You might like to read
my doctors web page at: www.sabariatric.com (this is in San Antonio and a
superb website). Click on the Financial information and read their
statement and see their set cash fees. You might want to consider asking
your hospital if they have the same, or a similar program. If I can help
you any more please Email me direct. Thom
— Thom C.
October 30, 2000
You'll have to talk to your surgeon and your hospital to find out how it
will work for you. I am self-pay also, and my doctor let me know that the
insurance would not cover any complications from the surgery. I have to
pay for the surgery upfront, but I did ask his billing lady if they would
work with me on any additional costs and she said yes. The hospital will
too. Like you I'm afraid of breaking my family financially, but I have to
do this. I'm just praying for no complications! Good luck to you!
— Gretchen T.
October 30, 2000
I was self-pay, and was very worried about complications, and causing real
financial hardship to my family. I had to pay $19,350.00 up front as a
deposit, and was in the hospital for 4 1/2 days. I had no complications and
got out 2 days earlier than my dr. had estimated. At the end of my stay,
the hospital gave me another bill for an additional $4,400.00. Had there
been a problem, the hospital would have made payment arrangements with me.
The hospitals are generally very good about payment of balances owed. Good
Luck to you.
— Cara S.
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