After talking to Aetna today, I am probably looking at self pay. My doctor includes the Blis after care program in his self pay price. I called Blis and they do offer loans for self pay patients. I am wondering if anyone here has used them for self pay and and was it a good or bad experience?

Khy

I am also self pay and would not consider surgery without back up insurance. It is kind of difficult to find a doctor who does offer Blis. They offer it in different ways, the original office I checked with included it in the package. The doctor I am seeing right now charges $2,000 for the insurance. Please post how this goes for you, I am really interested. Good luck.............Janice

I had to self-pay because my insurance plan has a complete exclusion for bariatric surgery. I feel the same way as Janice - I decided early on I wasn't going to investigate any surgeons who didn't offer BLIS. I was sleeved 6/29 and so far no need for a claim (knock on wood) but the peace of mind is definitely worth it!

Khy, be aware there's actually a couple of different aspects to BLIS - one is the insurance that covers you in case of complications (which the surgeon handles for you), the other is the financing aspect if you want to do that (which I think you generally arrange yourself).

Yes my doctor offers the Blis coverage in case of complications. It is for 30 days with the option of purchasing longer coverage. I was thinking of using Blis to finance my surgery as Blis does have this program. Problem is... doctor and hospital have to already be set up to accept payment this way and even though my doc does the aftercare coverage, he is not set up to accept payments from Blis. I wish more doctors would do this as it would make WLS more accessible to people who need it. Part of my reason for not going to Mex. to have it done is... what happens when I get back? What if I have complicatuions? I would rather have a bariatric surgeon looking after me if some thing did occur. When I had my bladder repair I developed a big abcess under the incision site. So I am not a stranger to post op complications.

Khy

After talking to Aetna today, I am probably looking at self pay. My doctor includes the Blis after care program in his self pay price. I called Blis and they do offer loans for self pay patients. I am wondering if anyone here has used them for self pay and and was it a good or bad experience?

Khy

Hi,

I wished I could tell you that I have. But I want to tell you that most of them have a high interest rate. Please don't let that stop you. You are about to do something that will change your entire life and become healthy--that is so important to think about when you are looking at a loan. I had someone say to me that we don't think twice about making car payments. So consider this a "body payment" and go for it.

You are worth it, and you deserve to have this WLS. It is a life changing event and you will never have any regrets. I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I wish you nothing but success. If you have any questions you can always E-mail me. Hugs :P