Self pay questions

[STLoser 1,085]

I was self pay. My surgery (Loop DS) was in July 2020 in St. Louis. I paid 21,000, which included all the pre and post op testing, surgery, 3 day hospital stay, and 1 year of follow up. I did end up staying in the hospital 4 days, but my surgeon was able to get the hospital not to charge me for that.
I still follow up with my surgeon every 6 months, and now we have insurance that covers wls, so those visits are covered.
It makes me mad that after never once having insurance thaglt covered wls, practically the second I paid for it myself, we got insurance that covered it. However, I have no regrets and would GLADLY pay thr 21,000 again right now if I had to!

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[STLoser 1,085]

That * sorry for the typo. I may have lost 200 pounds, but I still have fat fingers! [emoji23]

Also, all my dietitian visits were covered too for the first year.

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[Digitoptic 0]

Had VSG on March 29 and did cash pay in Northern California. Total costs are going to be around $25k which includes the surgeon, surgery, one-night hospital stay and all of the things included therein.

That being said, non of my pre-op lab work was covered/included in the price, but I worked closely with my PCP and Surgeon and my PCP made it work thru my insurance by ordering the tests. Also, none the initial visits and dietician was covered as I had to go thru those before the commitment and paying the big bills.

One thing I can say thru the cash pay is that we didn’t have to jump thru any hoops. Basically my doctor, bariatric surgeon and dieticians were the only ones in charge rather than insurance. It was a really good feeling that my progress was dictated by my actual caregivers versus some arbitrary insurance plan.

[cheryl o 60]

if you can and its possible, get a job with your state or county, the government health insurance as an employe will cover it. I work for the state of FL and they covered it all. Sometimes its too expensive outta pocket since alot of preop appts are required. good luck!

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[Suzypress 0]

I am/was self-pay in Atlanta, GA. ($15,900) The price was for outpatient band removal to sleeve. Included all surgeon/facility fees. Included going back to facility day after surgery for bag of fluids. I had to pay for cardiac clearance and blood work, which will end up being about $800. I live in South Carolina, so I had to pay for hotel room. I am 2.5 weeks post op and everything is good . . . so far. 🙏

Edited April 12, 2022 by Suzypress