Hi guys im new to the world of banding i went to the info seminar last night and i will go ahead with the procedure but what im wanting to know is how has every1 else paid for the surgery?

Id have to go thru private health and wait 12 months so that will end next april but has anybody else had out of pocket expenses..

Im with NIB and they just dont explain it to me clearly 1 woman said id pay nothing nib would cover everything and another said something about some scheme so id love it if some of you would let me know what you guys have been thru to pay for this life changing surgery.

:help:

mellphat

That does sound confusing.

My doctor explained it all to me before I started.

In the end I was out of pocket $3,000.00(which was mainly the anaesthetist). I had Medicare pay first then they sent the reciepts to my health fund, then I paid the difference.

Your hospital stay should only be your health fund excess.

Good Luck

Hi Mellyphat,

I went through Medibank and out of pocket expense was close to $4000. But I withdrew from my super to pay my excess. It wasnt difficult to do so really all I have had to pay for is follow ups and fills. Good luck....DI

DOB 10/4/07

Starting weight: 115kg

Current weight: 95.8kg

Hi,

I thought my private heath insurance would cover most of it, until i found out that because it's being done in a private hospital they don't. That added about $7500 to the bill (which could have been avoided they tell me for an extra $20 a month - now they tell me!).

I applied to APRA though for early release of some of my superannuation. It got approved yesterday (yahh!). I just have to send their paperwork to my super company and it will be direct deposited into my bank account.

If you're interested have alook here - Early Release of Superannuation Benefits . The actual section is "specified grounds for release" and not financial hardship. You need to fill in the form and return it with:

• a letter from your GP
  
• a letter from your surgeon
  
• a quote for the costs.

APRA take 7 working days from when you submit your paper work and they don't need originals, faxing is fine.

Good luck!