So, I have been denied twice and my appeal was just denied by UHC! My BMI is about 38 and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2011. Insurance is stating that I would have to have the co-morbidity for 5 years in addition to the 5 years of weight history since I am below a BMI of 40. I have struggled with weight my entire life. I am 49 years old and I don't see this changing. I've lost weight several times over the years just to regain it, plus more! My parents both died in their mid 60's. both had high blood pressure and were overweight probably about the same as me as far as BMI. So, my question is..... Looking back at what you achieved, would you have gone through this having to pay yourself? I am not comfortable at this point going to Mexico so I will be checking with my doctor to see what he will charge me with no assistance from insurance. I am guessing around $20k. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

i had no option. I did self pay and I am so glad I did..

I have UHC as well and wasn't approved either. I had a hernia so UHC paid that portion and it only cost me 5,000 out of pocket.

Yes. Self pay $20,000 here. Guess I am at the high end but I would do it again tomorrow

In theory I would self pay, but have no idea where the 20, 000+ would come from. It would take years to save up that amount. By the way, my total billed to insurance was 32, 500.

If I didnt have insurance which I did the hospital I had my surgery at quoted me 20, 000 plus 857.00 anesthesia this doesnt count cost of my doctor fees so thank goodness for insurance

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions! I can't wait to call my doctor's office tomorrow to start researching the costs! I really want to do this! My husband has been so supportive! He doesn't struggle with weight and he can see how much this is hurting me! He told that if I wanted to do it that badly, then do it! He assured me not to worry about the costs!

So, I have been denied twice and my appeal was just denied by UHC! My BMI is about 38 and I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2011. Insurance is stating that I would have to have the co-morbidity for 5 years in addition to the 5 years of weight history since I am below a BMI of 40. I have struggled with weight my entire life. I am 49 years old and I don't see this changing. I've lost weight several times over the years just to regain it, plus more! My parents both died in their mid 60's. both had high blood pressure and were overweight probably about the same as me as far as BMI. So, my question is..... Looking back at what you achieved, would you have gone through this having to pay yourself? I am not comfortable at this point going to Mexico so I will be checking with my doctor to see what he will charge me with no assistance from insurance. I am guessing around $20k. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

I was self pay and had surgery on Monday 3/25/13) I live in Louisiana and my surgery was done by Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia, La. He does it as out patient surgery and then you stay at a local hotel (I stayed at candlewood suites) and he makes house calls to check on you. My cost was $9,800 plus the cost of the hotel (mine was 2 nights)

I have been extremely pleased with my dr and his staff and the staff at the surgery center. They are professional, friendly & I have no complaints.

My insurance doesn't cover WLS even if you're dying from the co-morbidities and it could save your life. Lame.

I did self-pay in the us and paid just around 20k.

here's a question that I haven't seen addressed on the boards yet... My husband was laid off in Jan. 2013. We took Cobra so I could be sleeved on3.25.13, Everything went fine, we are going to cancel our Cobra coverage now because we can't afford 1667.00 for Cobra, plus pay the mortgage, buy food, utilities.... My doctor's admin. assistant told me that everything after the surgery is covered for 90 days. Fellow sleevers, didi you have many blood tests, nutritional visits etc...

Thanks,

Carol

Ooops, I meant to say that I was sleeved on 2/25/2013 and will stop Cobra in March.

Yes, I got denied once. I redid my 6 month diet, and at the same time I was saving $ to go to Mexico just in case I was denied again. However, I lucked out and I was approved. But it was a route I was willing to take.

I was self pay and had surgery on Monday 3/25/13) I live in Louisiana and my surgery was done by Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia, La. He does it as out patient surgery and then you stay at a local hotel (I stayed at candlewood suites) and he makes house calls to check on you. My cost was $9,800 plus the cost of the hotel (mine was 2 nights)

I have been extremely pleased with my dr and his staff and the staff at the surgery center. They are professional, friendly & I have no complaints.

Houston17...this sounds like a compromise since you don't feel comfortable going to Mexico! About 1/2 the reg costs I found around Houston & sounds like something I would feel comfortable with...& la is not that far!

I did pay. $9800. I used Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia LA. He is awesome. I'm 6 days post op and going back to work tomorrow

http://www.thomasborlandmd.com

Mactrio and Woman in me, even though I go by Houston on the board, I don't live in Houston. I am in Iowa but originally from the South (LA/MS). Any idea how the doctor would handle someone this far away from him? I've done the nutritional visits and the psych exam here since I was planning to have the surgery locally. Do you think that I could get the blood work, EKG, and gi work done locally? Do you think that I would have to fly down first for a consultation and then again for the surgery? Thanks!