I just wanted to share my amts for my lap band surgery. Thank God I was covered by insurance! WOW!!!

<TABLE class=headerRowTable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" summary="This table displays claim information. Each row contains data relevant to the claim listed. The headers are: Date, Service, Charge, Covered($), Not Covered($), and Patient Responsibility($)." border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD>Semi-Private/General </TD><TD>4,326.00</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Pharmacy/General</TD><TD>1,010.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Nonprescription</TD><TD>13.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Med/Surg Supplies/General</TD><TD>519.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Sterile Supply</TD><TD>1,961.40</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Other Implants</TD><TD>12,759.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Laboratory</TD><TD>622.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Chemistry</TD><TD>204.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Radiology/General</TD><TD>862.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Operating Room Services/General</TD><TD>20,381.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Anesthesia/General</TD><TD>5,620.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Respiratory Services/General</TD><TD>219.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Pulmonary Function</TD><TD>576.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>Recovery Room/General</TD><TD>2,824.00</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center colSpan=6>

</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD>O.R. Procs for Obesity</TD><TD>51,896.40</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

That's pretty disgusting. Self-pay is less than half of that.

I was self pay and only paid 16,500 for all of the services listed above, as well as a year of fills thereafter.

What place did you have your surgery and how much did insurance reduce the amount by. I can not beleive the band was 12K.

Chris in St. Louis

omg, you could buy a house in some parts of the country for that price. I was a self pay and was under 7,000. but it was in MX. But dr. and Hospitals do jack up the cost so that they can recover most of there cost.

I was banded in Penna at a Local Hosp. I did not have to pay anything.

That is unbelieveable!!!

I had mines in Mexico and it was $7,000 but the doctor here said he would have charged me $15,000 and that includes everything, along with a year of fills.

That is awful! That is the most I have heard of anyone paying for this surgery, insurance or not. I am private pay and my cost is $16,500.00. I am surprised your insurance company didn't refuse to pay due to excessive and unusual amounts.

I was pretty suprised how much it was, It was 2 nights in the hosp. My insurance did not question anything, everything was paid in full. Thank god they support the surgury.

I was self pay as well, and here is how mine broke down.

10,000 hospital including 3-4 dietician visits

6,000 Dr. including fills for one year

1,700 Anesthesia

Wow that is crazy.I was self pay too and paid $9000. in Mexico.That's including all the services you mentioned.My fills are free for life all I need to pay extra for is a flouroscopy which is $70.00.I can't believe the price difference.

Lisa

2/20/06

Dr Kuri

255/222/120

I was self-pay in here in Idaho, and ended up paying about $26,000 including all of the pre-tests. There went my photography studio equipment! :Banane04:

I'm not sure how the insurace scam works, but I believe that insurance only pays a percentage on these types of bills, so the hospitals jack up the price to get a higher percentage out of them. Anyone understand how that really works? Am I even close in my assumption?

its amazing how much more the hospitals charge, I wonder what my doc will get

I forgot to mention mine also included transportation from the border into Mexico and also a 5 star hotel for up to 2 days.I can't believe what the US gets away with.

Lisa

Thank God for Medicare. Hospitals cannot overcharge them. They have a set price over and above the surgery that they allow and it has to be accepted...this is a great example why. $1000 pharmacy means probably very little pain med, certainly not $1000 worth. The other charge are rediculous and no wonder insurance companies are so leery of hospital charges. This is a good example of why insurance doesn't want to cover this surgery...who can blame them with prices like this?

Wow! I am self pay and mine is costing me just under 10k here in CO. Its absurd how much insurance companies are charged and what they actually pay.... and we wonder why they keep jacking our rates!