self pay question

[QuincyGirl 0]

Does anybody know if you have to have a passport to go to Mexico to have surgery, and also, what happens if there are complications? Will any insurance cover you if problems occur? Even if complications occur months later?:shades_smile:

[VegasGrace 1]

Welcome to Travel.State.Gov is where you can find your answer.

• CURRENTLY:
  U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (:shades_smile: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
  
• LATER:
  As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

[citygirl4616 2]

I doubt your insurance will cover any complications from your Lap-Band surgery. Not because you are having it done in Mexico, but because, I am assuming, they do not cover bariatric surgery (that's why you are self pay...right?). If any complications were to arise as a direct result of the surgery, you would have to pay for it out of pocket.

I had the surgery done here in the states, as a self-pay patient, and that is what I was told by my insurance company (Coventry). Perhaps you may want to call and double check with your insurance company.

[QuincyGirl 0]

My insurance does cover it but may not cover mine. I do not have any severe co-morbid problems that I am aware of and my BMI is only 38.4.

I think I may have sleep apnea but have not had test done yet. I definately have the symptoms for it. I realy want this help and may just have to be a self pay but I will at least try insurance first.

Thanx for the replies.

[VegasGrace 1]

Well, wanted to share...complications.

Anything directly related to the appliance itself I'm sure they won't cover...however, things like having something stuck in your esophogas and you have to go to GI, go under, and have it retrieved...they will pay.

Become malnourished and need potassium or other suppliments...they will pay.

But something like a flipped port, slipped band, leaks....nah, they won't pay.

Good luck!

[bluekygirl 0]

QuincyGirl, I too, will be self-pay because my insurance doesn't cover it. Have you researched any doctors around you instead of going to Mexico? Don't get me wrong, I've read on this site about many successful lap band surgeries in Mexico, and how much less they cost. However, in my situation, the doctor I am going to has it in his policy that any complications for the rest of my life are covered for free (that's just the surgeon's fee. the hospital will only cover complications for 2 years and then will charge after that). He says complications are such a low percentage that he's willing to cover them so that self-pay people aren't scared away. Also, for three years, all fills are included in the initial price. After that, I get 1 free fill a year. To me, even though the surgery costs about $10,000 more than the average fee in Mexico, it's worth it since my insurance won't cover complications and also because I don't have to pay for fills and/or doctor visits until at least the third year. I am assuming that my doctor is not the only doctor that has this type of policy. Granted, it will takes a whole lot of fills/doctor visits to add up to that extra $10,000, but just knowing that if I have a slippage, erosion, port problem, etc., it will not cost me any extra.

[QuincyGirl 0]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you found a pretty good deal with your local Dr. I have not looked into others yet. I am still going to try to get an approval before I actually go out and self pay but am dtill going to go through with it even if my insurance wont approve me. I am going to try to get a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. I just dont have any real severe problems. Good luck with your surgery.