Question about complication cost

mandi78 · May 14, 2007

If you have a complication and they have to go in and repair, remove or replace something, is that covered under the cost of the initial surgery or do you have to pay more for these types of things? (I mean if your insurance doesn't cover complications)

WASaBubbleButt · May 14, 2007

It depends on the complication and your insurance. There really isn't any way to answer your question. This would be one for your insurance company.

Alexandra · May 14, 2007

If you have a complication and they have to go in and repair, remove or replace something, is that covered under the cost of the initial surgery or do you have to pay more for these types of things? (I mean if your insurance doesn't cover complications)

Mandi, you'd have to talk with your doctor about this. There may be scenarios in which the doctor makes certain guarantees within a time frame (like if there's a surgical error he'd fix it at no charge), but if you're banded for any length of time and have a complication treatment for that would most likely be treated as a separate event.

Your insurance carrier can't exclude coverage for emergencies, even if they are the result of an elective procedure (at least, not if they don't want to end up in court). But if they didn't cover the initial surgery they aren't likely to cover fills or non-emergent repairs or revisions (like a flipped port, for example).

Bensmum1109 · May 21, 2007

Hi Mandi-

My insurance did not cover my band but they are covering the costs of my repositioning surgery (tomorrow morning!!), because of the complications I have had and the fact that it is medically necessary to fix my slip. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield.

mandi78 · May 21, 2007

Heather-That's good to know (not that you are having a problem) but that they are fixing it since it is an emergency. That's my concern.....that I would have an emergency and have to spend time in the hospital and it would be like $20,000 or something and I would have to pay for it out of my own pocket. Good luck tomorrow!!!