Self--pay bull****

[Globetrotter 1,340]

Well I'm just a bit frustrated and ticked off right now; just got an email from the money people of my surgeon's office, as a self-pay I apparently have to pay the ENTIRE fee up front before they will even schedule my surgery!! As if that weren't bad enough, all of the other fee's - hospital, anesthesia, psyche, are all seperate and I have to pay each of them myself. What is the office doing for me then, if I am running around paying various organizations individually and seperately?!?!

This makes me anxious and I can just see one set of people claiming they were never paid, etc. etc. Grrr.

[Stacy160 201]

Well, that's just the way it works... the hospital, anesthesia, psychiatrist, etc., don't work for the doctor, so you pay them each individually. Not quite sure what there is to be angry about?? Just make sure you get receipts from them all.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I'm not angry, I was frustrated and venting. It is just a complication that I will have to find a way around, I am organizing my surgery from half-way around the world which adds all manner of complications.

[deedee 5]

I know it's frustrating! My advice is to get EVERYTHING in writing. When I asked/told the hospital that I needed an itemized invoice clearly stating what the money I was paying covered, it was like I asked for the moon. It took me over 1 week and me refusing to pay the anything until I had that. They had a rule that all money had to be paid so many days before the surgery and I informed them that deadline would NOT be met until my simple request was met...if this meant rescheduling the surgery, so be it.

Good luck!

[stcyt 15]

Well, I imagine that you are already set on your surgeon, and your on the way to enacting the plan you designed for yourself. BUT something to keep in mind is that surgery in mexico is a flat fee. None of this running around getting nickle and dimed by every professional that walks within 30 feet of your room. I know its kinda late in the game to change plans... just a thought......

[achopp 0]

I totally understand your frustration. My insurance denied me for the surgery and I had to pay $12,000 up front to have my surgery scheduled. I thought it was a flat fee because I was never told otherwise, but then I started getting bills from pathology and anesthesia. I actually submitted those bills to my insurance company, and they paid for them (I don't know why) so you might want to try that.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

That is a good idea, submitting the other costs to my insurance, hadn't thought of that ...

Asking for an itemized invoice, also excellent, see this is why VST is awesome, more brains to puzzle stuff out! =)

Yeah, I'm set firm on my surgeon. He's one of the best in the world and happens to be based in my hometown but yeah, the price just staggered me and I was kind of affronted by my having to run around making these payments, if their charging so much, shouldn't they be doing some of these things?

[Jane_J 117]

Mine was self pay, and all included. I would recommend the Brno team. Think the current rate is 6,200 GBP.

[Bevanne 0]

I was self pay also. Went to Mexico for a flat fee and had a wonderful surgeon..Dr. Achives. Other than the plane ride and being out of the country, it has all worked out thus far. Luckily I have a Dr. in the states doing my aftercare.

[Globetrotter 1,340]

I've read a lot here at VST about the VSG docs in Mexico and the great reviews they've been getting. If I had a different situation I might have seriously considered them. I'm attempting to get sleeved during RnR though, and thus want one as close as possible to my home, plus like I said, this Doc is world class and I feel comfortable with him.

[mip001 0]

Achopp - do you remember how much the "other" charges were? I might be using Dr. M. as well. Thanks!

[Oregondaisy 2,020]

I paid Dr. Aceves and everything was included in the price. All the preop tests and anesthesia. there was no psych eval necessary.

[achopp 0]

Achopp - do you remember how much the "other" charges were? I might be using Dr. M. as well. Thanks!

Without insurance they totalled around $3500-$4000. The charges were from pathology and anstesia departments of the hospital, and then from the actual pathology and anstesia doctors.

I submitted the charges to my insurance and they paid them, even though the code number used was the 43775 sleeve code. I don't know why they paid, my insurance denied the sleeve....

If my insurance hadn't of paid the extra charges I would have been really mad. I was never told that the $12,000 wasn't all inclusive. Dr. Meguid did a great job and I think he is a great surgen, but the insurance coordinator, nutritionist, and post-op care aren't so hot. I hate going to his office for follow up visits because everytime I end up sitting in the waiting room about one and a half hours past my appointment time.