AK_Bookworm

I'm preparing to have surgery in Mexico and have settled on a doctor and procedure (SADI-S) and started the process... lately I've been thinking what if the doctor says he did a SADI-S but really did a VSG. Is this an irrational worry? Has anybody else worried about this? I'm not sure why all of a sudden I'm thinking this. I haven't had any concerns about going to Mexico at all and am very relaxed about it other than this one thing. Maybe because I feel like everything is falling into place too easily and it's too good to be true... part of me feels like surgery is never going to happen and I wonder if maybe that's playing into my irrational thinking of getting a different surgery than I paid for. Any thought anybody struggle with feelings like this or similar? (Please tell me I'm not alone and not completely out of my mind lol) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My insurance covers wls however I'm going to Mexico. We don't have any in network providers here and I'm in Alaska so the option to travel to another city or state isn't available to me... my insurance will only cover 70% for out of network providers and the maximum out of pocket does not apply to bariatric surgery so I felt that ultimately it would be cheaper and faster for me to to go to Mexico Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@rickm very good points. I have Aetna as well so it appears I have some other things to look into. I am sure my insurance does cover SADI however I could be reading it wrong but I do know it covers DS so if I have to do DS I'm ok with that. If I was doing VSG I wouldn't worry about follow up as much but because I'm not that is something that's important. I am hoping to have surgery between August and September so I think it's far enough in the year to meet my maximum out of pocket and deductible. I think I need to do whatever possible to stay home. I did call Aetna and ask if they would cover as in network since we don't have an in network provider here and the guy I spoke to just didn't seem to care to answer my questions and simply said no and suggested going out of state to an in network provider and seeking for them to reimburse me for travel cost but that also would be an outside provider and I would have my surgeon local. I think my decisions is made now it's time to start the process. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's a good idea... I'll start there and then I'll be able to decide which option will be cheaper. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I live in Alaska and there are only two surgeons in the entire state... if I'm correct one only does gastric bypass and the other does the different procedures but neither provider is considered in network so instead of 90% insurance coverage I will only have my surgery covered at 80%... my insurance only covers the first $30,000 at the 90% for in network and then 80% after the first $30,000 but my surgery would cost me 20% plus my deductible and the maximum out of pocket doesn't apply to bariatric surgery... I also know WLS is pricey in Alaska but I don't know exactly how much... I'm at a crossroads because I love the idea of having my surgeon local especially because I'm leaning towards SADI-S over VSG but I'm concerned going the insurance route will cost me more than just going to Mexico. Any advice or recommendations? I don't want to go through all of the testing only to find out I can't afford surgery locally even with insurance. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App