money up front??

January 16, 2004

I WENT TO MY FIRST MEETING AFTER MY SEMINOR AND THEY LOD US THAT WE HAVE TO PUT UP $1000:eek:(WHICH IS ALOT OF MONEY IN MY BOOK!BEFORE WE GET OUR INSURANCE APPROVAL TO COVER ALL THE TEST AND EVALUATIONS BEFORE SURGERY. ITS TO ALSO COVER ALL FILLS,A YEAR MEMBERSHIP TO THE GYM IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUR Protein Shakes AND Vitamins FOR AFTER SURGERY. DOES THIS SOUND INSANE OR HAS ANY ONE ELSE DO THIS ?

sassaay · January 16, 2004

Hey Jayla,

This doesn't sound right to me. Did you just find this surgery center or did your PCP refer you to them. I heard through the grapevine that the health org my PCP is affiliated with was contracting with the bariatric surgery center I wanted to use. So, I went to the seminar and got all the paperwork, but then made an appointment with my PCP. I asked my PCP for a referral and then sent in the paperwork. The surgery center called me, but I told them I was still waiting for my referral. They suggested I wait, so that all I had to pay was my co-pay. Long story short, the referral came 2 days later I made my appointment with the surgeon; she ordered some tests and sent me back to my PCP for approval. Those were approved, my surgery was approved and my pre-op appointment is next week.

Anyway, sorry for going on... maybe you should talk to your PCP to see if they contract with this center and can refer you so that you only have to pay a co-pay.

Good Luck.

January 16, 2004

I FOUND THE SURGERY CENTER THRU INAMED THE LAP BAND COMPANY. AND EVEN WORST I DON'T HAVE A PCP !

I AM GETTING FUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN RESEACHING THIS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND I AM SO READY. I LIVE IN TAMPA FLORIDA! I HAVE TALK TO 2 PCP'S THAT DUE REFERALS FOR THE LAPBAND SURGERY AND THEY WONT TAKE BE BECAUSE I LIVE TO FAR AWAY.

DOES ANY ONE HAVE ANY SUGESTIONS? PLEEEEASE:cry

ShanaMarie · January 22, 2004

I didn't have to pay $1,000 up front, but I did have to pay about $150 for appointments before I could even be considered for insurance approval. My insurance did cover my surgery, but I know that it will not cover any of my fills, which will probably cost at least $150 per fill. Assuming that some of your money is refundable if you do not get covered by your insurance and decide not to continue with the surgery, $1,000 does not seem out of the realm of possibility of what you could expect to have in bills for things insurance won't cover, especially with the membership to the hospital's fitness center thrown in. Does that make sense? I'll end up spending a lot on fills, except I'm not paying it all up front at once. If you can get the money together, it would be kinda cool to not have to worry about paying for any of your fills or shakes or Vitamins later on. Good Luck!!

claraluz · January 22, 2004

The part that does sound a little off to me is that you have to pay for a gym membership and Protein shakes through the hospital. That definitely sounds like a racket. Is the hospital very nearby? In my book a gym has to be very, very nearby in order to be worth anything. If this gym is in the hospital I can guarantee you that it is way more expensive than other gym memberships. And you can buy Vitamins at Walmart which would be much cheaper, too. My Protein powder (Unjury) costs something like $15.00 online and one container makes quite a few shakes I would really question this arrangement. And the other doctors won't take you because you live too far away? I don't get it. People travel hours for fills, etc. It's not uncommon to have to pay for tests, etc. in advance but the rest of it sounds extremely fishy.

Nancy

marsha · January 23, 2004

Sounds like a lot of money upfront to me. I had to dish out $300 for a nutrition class before they even submitted for approval. I was eventually denied by my insurance and am out the $300. I also had to pay a lot of co-pays for different doctor visits and I had to pay for 25% of my sleep study (another $225). It seems to me like you should be able to choose your own gym and Protein shakes! I'd keep looking for other surgeons!

Just my 2cents!

Marsha

Chickadee · January 23, 2004

I will have to pay $750 out of pocket once my insurance is approved. The $750 won't be covered by insurance at all. They say it's for "administrative costs". I'm not real thrilled with it, but if I get the surgery it will be worth it.

Becky