Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!



Recommended Posts

I am so disappointed, I just learned today my insurance does not cover any WLS. I don't understand why companies can choose if you need a surgery or not. I don't know what I'm going to do now. I am so damn frustrated now; I don't want to go outside the states just to have WLS; its not fair.

Any advice out there???? I am located here in Georgia do anyone know what the cost for the lap band. If there's any self-payers out here I would love to hear your advice and the options for self-paying individuals.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm sorry to hear that...there is a few doctors in Birmingham Alabama the cost is 11,000

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance did not cover it either... It is my understanding that every insurance company covers it, it is just a matter of whether or not your employer chose to have it as part of your coverage. My CEO told me that we were not even given the option of choosing it as part of our coverage, I am sure it has to do w/the size of our group and coverage limits. I am almost 3 yrs out, and I was fortunate that I had enough money in my 401K that I was able to take a hardship withdrawal for medical purposes in order to pay for my surgery. I don't regret taking the money for a minute, it was an investment in my life. I can rebuild my 401K but my life is not replaceable. Good luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i research the band for 5 years and during that time i had 2 different employers and both had insurance policies that excluded any WLS. i decided that if i can spend money on a luxury car and other things i like, then my health was also worth the investment. i took out a low interest credit card thru my credit union. i live in illinois and my surgery was out patient and the cost was $12,500, which includes my first year of fills. that is one bill i have no issue paying when it comes. so worth every penny!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a self payer. I found out that the surgery and one year follow up was 14500, here in Arkansas. I saved half and financed the other half. If you are self pay you do not have to go through any of the other stuff insurance requires you to do. Basically you go to a seminar, sign up for an appointment. See the surgeon, Pay for it and get it done. It took maybe two weeks. I know it is hard to come up with the money, but when there is no option that insurance will pay, then you take matters into your own hands.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

True results in Houston, Tx 9,900 and they do financing.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was very fortunate to have Tricare and was approved on the first attempt with my letter however,I do know that there are many that have to self pay. It is the best thing that i have ever done for my self. It is worth every sacrifice that you will have to make if you are mentally prepared to do it for you........

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was self-pay in Northeast Florida and was able to get a loan from my credit union to pay... the entire total was $14,200...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×