I have my appt with a bariatric surgeon with a doctor in Orange, Ca on Friday. But even if insurance covers it, there is a cash fee of $3,500 that is NOT covered by insurance. Is this normal? I wonder if my insurance company knows. It just sounds wrong.

APR

Hon, this is not normal. Go to a center of excellence even if you have to drive a bit. As far as I know there are no up front charges. This is a big red flag for me and I would almost question their ethics.

Melinda

I have my appt with a bariatric surgeon with a doctor in Orange, Ca on Friday. But even if insurance covers it, there is a cash fee of $3,500 that is NOT covered by insurance. Is this normal? I wonder if my insurance company knows. It just sounds wrong.

APR

That is almost 1/3 of the cost of the surgery with most practices. What kind of insurance is this? Call your insurance company and see if you can go elsewhere.

Hon, this is not normal. Go to a center of excellence even if you have to drive a bit. As far as I know there are no up front charges. This is a big red flag for me and I would almost question their ethics.

Melinda

Melinda

Thx so very much for your response.

I was SHOCKED when I read deep into the doctors website about the $3500. Part of the challenge is my insurance: TriCare prime. There are very few doctors who accept it to begin with.....but it was TriCare that found this doctor to begin with.

I guess I'll be on the phone with them shortly.

Any advice anyone could provide on an Orange County, CA doctor who takes TriCare Prime would be awesome.

Thanks again Melinda!!

APR

I have never heard of this either. Good for you for checking this out. Good luck.

Here is a list of surgeons in Orange, CA. Click on each one and scroll down to the bottom and it tells what insurance they take. Good Luck. And yes. $3500 is nuts!!!!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum/432-orange/

I have tricare as well. Tricare paid 100% of my sugary. I am very close to a post so I went on post to have it done. However I have some friends that have tricare prime and they didn't have to pay anything out of pocket. I would call tricare or go on their website and get a list if doctors in your area that take tricare. You should not have to pay out of pocket. Good luck.

You are all awesome.

I called TriCare *Prime" and I am locked & loaded for my consult / psych eval / nutritional eval on Friday with nothing due except a co-payment! Thank you for all your support. You all rock!

Can you tell me the most important thing I should know about life AFTER lapband? I just don't want to ever gain all this weight back again.

Thx.

APR

Try St. Joseph hospital in Orange. They are a center of Excellence with a great reputation. I'm getting banded there on Monday.

Bob!

Thanks for your note.

Best wishes for a non eventful surgery. Look forward to hearing about your success afterward.

xo

APR

Try St. Joseph hospital in Orange. They are a center of Excellence with a great reputation. I'm getting banded there on Monday.