hospital wants out of pocket amount up front

[Wheetsin 714]

Wow, there's really interesting diversity evident in the way insurance companies are handling things. I think it's also another sign of the times, so to speak.

QueenBeeFla - that's ridiculous about your maternity copay - required or not, that's inappropriate. When I had DD (2008) I had two copays - my inpatient for when I was admitted to L&D, and then my daughter's inpatient copay effective the day she was born. I asked when I was admitted if I could go ahead and pay for both copays right then. They told me claims had to be filed through insurance first. I know that's bogus.

[LisaM 3]

I have Kaiser and I have relatively low co-pays except for emergency visits which are $100 a pop. But, bariatric surgery is $500 co-pay up front. I checked my coverage right away, first to see if they covered it, and saw the cost then. To me, it beats $10K out of pocket (on the cheap side) if I had to pay for it without insurance.

Good luck with your surgery, hope all goes smoothly!

[Jensharley 9]

Thanks for all the replies. I feel much better hearing this is pretty standard practice.

[Raine 170]

I didn't have to pay the hospital up front, but I did have to pay my surgeon the difference that the insurance didn't cover prior to surgery. Now I got a bill for 2600 from the hospital, can we say payment plan? LOL

[thinoneday 445]

I am scheduled for surgery on July 18th. Today I got a letter from the hospital that said they confirmed my benefits and expect I will have approximately $500 owed out of pocket. They want me to pay this now or at the time of registration. I have had many surgeries and have never had a hospital ask for money up front. Has anyone else been required to pay?

yup me too, I had to give $10,000.00 up front and $5,500.00 to the surgeon up front. Yup this is common practice for self pay.

[bowlinJJ 0]

My surgery hasn't been scheduled yet, however, I've gotten a call from admitting at Providence Hospital that Tricare covers everything except an $11.00/day copay. I can't complain too much about that. From what I'm gathering, I'm pretty lucky. Good luck to you!

[medmgr 4]

I had to pay 523.36 for my 20% copayment to the surgeon - I also expect to get a bill for anesthesiologist later. This caught me off guard because my insurance plan says the surgery is 100% coverage when done at thier centers of excellence... Funny how 100% coverage isn't :-/

[miz z 0]

Sorry you have to pay, that stinks. I too have to pay some upfront costs for educational workshops, nutrition. It comes to about $900 and the insurance won't pay for educational sessions. That said, I was so afraid my insurance wouldn't cover any thing and that I'd have to self pay, I'm OK with it. I had set aside some money in a flexible spending account, FSA, assuming I'd have to pay the whole thing.

I am scheduled for surgery on July 18th. Today I got a letter from the hospital that said they confirmed my benefits and expect I will have approximately $500 owed out of pocket. They want me to pay this now or at the time of registration. I have had many surgeries and have never had a hospital ask for money up front. Has anyone else been required to pay?

[mp2003 0]

I am scheduled for surgery on July 18th. Today I got a letter from the hospital that said they confirmed my benefits and expect I will have approximately $500 owed out of pocket. They want me to pay this now or at the time of registration. I have had many surgeries and have never had a hospital ask for money up front. Has anyone else been required to pay?

i had to pay $3500 before they would schedule the date, but i am self pay. my surgery is on the 19th good luck!

[mythreechildren2001 7]

It's not just for elective surgeries that upfront payment is expected. My dh had rotator cuff surgery last year, and we had to pay the surgeon a month before surgery and the hospital required payment when I checked him in on the spot. We were notified in advance so we were expecting it. Vanderbilt hasn't asked for money yet, but I go Monday for my pre-surgery consult so they may ask for it then.

[anonynurse 13]

Any surgery that is not done on an emergency basis is considered elective. Just an FYI.

[mythreechildren2001 7]

Any surgery that is not done on an emergency basis is considered elective. Just an FYI.

oh lol I didn't know that

[TheButterfly145 9]

I have insurance and they are asking for the co-pays that will cover my surgery and the pre-op testing (I have to pay one copay for each). However, the hospital is 'running a special' (who knew hospitals did that!?) and are giving me a discount on both fees. I have to pay both co-pays less the discount on the day of my pre-op testing because they don't want me to bring any valuables, including credit cards or cash on the day of surgery.

[treequeen 13]

I have to pay whatever I have left of my out of pocket expenses which will be $1500 before surgery.

[PositivelyGena 0]

I started this process a year ago and just got my insurance approval last week. Before they will even set up an appoint for me to get face-to-face with the surgeon and set a date, I had to pay my 30% and sign a contract with the hospital (and the check will have to clear!). Luckily, I knew going in that this would be expected and I am grateful that I was able to get a loan for my part, which is a little over $6,000.00. It's a lot, but I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.

And it's not that the surgeons are so standoff-ish -- they aren't. They come to support group meetings and do the info sessions and some preadmission testing (EGD). I think they just have to make sure the patients are as committed to this tool/lifestyle change as they are to helping us with it.

BTW, I'm new to posting, long-time lurker. Hoping to make lots of friends and join the loser's bench soon!