Cobrargc

I’m having nearly $4000 set aside in my flexible spending account for 2012. I’ve always been a staunch opponent of them because of the “use it or loose it” rules. I’d called Payflex in December to see if a Lap Band surgery is an eligible healthcare expense. They told me it is as long as it’s approved by a doctor, so I thought there wouldn’t be a problem. Today I logged into my Payflex account for the 1st time and came across a form called “Letter of Medical Necessity “. Now I’m beginning to enter panic mode. How difficult will it be to get my general practitioner to recommend the surgery? In December I mentioned the likelihood of a Lap band surgery to my doctor during an office visit. At the time he thought it was a good idea. I realize they are trying to weed out cosmetic surgery, but I need the surgery for many different reasons and the top reason isn’t cosmetic. I had planned to use this money to recover a portion of the surgery cost. What if I can’t obtain the medical necessity form? I wouldn’t have a prayer in the world of spending the $4000! After all, this is my money that I will be spending. Has anyone had any similar experiences with a FSA?

Thanks for the information. My employer doesn't have the FSA card at this time, so all reimbursements have to be done the old fashion way. Another wrinkle is likely going to be a paperwork trail. I plan to be a self-payer because my wonderful health insurance doesn't cover the procedure. I'm guessing that I would have to submit my BCBS insurance card to the clinic doing the surgery. This would be denied right away, but establish a paperwork trail for Pay Flex. I'm leaning towards having the procedure in Kansas City, but am considering having Dr Ortiz do the procedure in Mexico. Lots of luck trying to get Pay flex to reimburse me for the Mexico procedure. Pay flex would paid for nearly the entire procedure! So many things to think about and so little time. I have my 1st appointment in KC on the 2nd of February and maybe the surgery towards the end of the month.

I've decided to have some type of bariatric surgery. Originally I was thinking of the lap band and now I'm not so sure. The lap band is reversible while others are not. The others seem to be more successful though. I have my 1st meeting with a surgeon in Kansas City at the Bariatric Center on February 2nd, but am not locked into any particular facility. KC offers the surgery for about 5K cheaper than in Omaha. I see an advertiser on this forum offering the surgery for 8K cheaper than KC or 14K cheaper than Omaha. How can the prices vary so much? I will be paying for the surgery out of pocket, so any savings would be a big plus. Yet I'm one of those people that believe you get what you pay for. Has anyone had any dealings with the folks at mysurgeryoptions (forum advertiser)? The area code indicates St Louis. Are they simply a third party that helps find a facility or do they actually do the surgery? My head is beginning to spin the closer I get to the procedure. So many questions and no place to go. I'm hoping someone can offer a wealth of information from their own person experiences. Please help!