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

Discrepency in cost of surgery



Recommended Posts

I'm scheduled with Dr. A Ortiz on 1/21/13. Initially I wanted the Plication procedure which I was told was 1000.00 more than the sleeve. After doing further research I changed my mind and called to switch to the sleeve. I was told then it was the same price??? I reminded the coordinator that I was quoted a different price not two weeks prior and she denied telling me so. Now I'm questioning what to do at this point. I want the procedure done and don't want to cancel but I don't want to now be scammed???

Has this happened to anyone?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe a lot of rates are going up at the 1st of the year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe a lot of rates are going up at the 1st of the year.

But I paid my deposit 2 weeks ago and when I when I called to change the procedure she didn't say rates change. She denied ever telling me the other price. That's what has me concerned.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Will they give your deposit back? If they will, contact other surgeon's in Mexico and find out what their rates are and then schedule and appointment. Ask to talk with the office manager and perhaps they can accommodate you with a discounted rate for the misunderstanding. Don't be afraid to ask.......

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Will they give your deposit back? If they will' date=' contact other surgeon's in Mexico and find out what their rates are and then schedule and appointment. Ask to talk with the office manager and perhaps they can accommodate you with a discounted rate for the misunderstanding. Don't be afraid to ask.......[/quote']

The deposit is non refundable. I am going to argue it for sure. I haven't researched any other doctor as much as I have Dr. Ortiz and I really don't want to go to anyone else. I have 3 weeks to go.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hope they give. I know that I've seen where other surgeons are giving discounted rates right now. So it could happen... Let us know what's happening. Either way, this is a life changing deal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

But I paid my deposit 2 weeks ago and when I when I called to change the procedure she didn't say rates change. She denied ever telling me the other price. That's what has me concerned.

Definitely not cool! I hope it works out!

Amanda Rae

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What does the website say? Who are you going through?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear that Dr Ortiz is an excellent surgeon, when I was there others at the Hotel had used him. I would chock this up to a learning experience Mexican style. Try one more time speaking to someone in your coordinators office. If you have no luck in getting a price change just go ahead and get ready for your surgery. You will not be disappointed regardless of what you pay. Good Luck!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe have someone else call and ask for the price of a sleeve and see what they say to a "stranger"?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I scheduled way back in October for surgery in Feb. with Dr. Ortiz and at that time the two surgeries were the same price. The price listed on my patient information forms was the same, too. Have you filled that out yet? You could double check on your copy. Not saying something couldn't have gotten mixed up at the time you scheduled. Hope you get this figured out...it does suck a little that the deposit is non-refundable, my husband grumbled about that too :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I've completed all the paperwork but it was for the Plication and had the higher price on it. I was prepared to pay the initial price and either way I've got to do this. I just hate being scammed. I see all the post from people who used Dr. Ortiz and I do feel its worth it. If I do get a chance to talk to him I for sure will let him know and maybe he'll care maybe he won't but in any case it's bad business.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What does the website say? Who are you going through?

The website doesn't quote price. It's his own coordinator I think. I called the 800 # listed on his website.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am also scheduled with him and went back and looked at the paperwork that has the pricing on it (Initial Contact Letter) and mine also shows the same exact price for the sleeve and plication. The band is less and the bypass and revisions are more. whaat.gif

Do you still have your Initial Contact Letter that shows the prices for all the procedures offered? It truly sounds like if someone quoted you different prices that it was a mistake, because there are now two of us who have paperwork showing that the prices are the same for these two procedures. I booked in November.

Sorry to hear there was a mix-up somehow and hope you get it straightened out. smile.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At least you can rest easy knowing it was human error on the part of the coordinator and not you getting scammed :)

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

    • 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.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 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

    ×