My surgeon submitted my paperwork on Tuesday and I was approved yesterday. I was informed by my surgeons office that I would have to them pay $336 in advance, but that the hospital that I will be banded will require that I pay the amount of my insurance's out of pocket expenses up front...$2500. What the *#&$^!!! I am at a loss. I've never heard of this before. A deposit, yes, but my entire yearly out of pocket? Is this common? I've not had an opportunity to speak with anyone in the hospital's billing dept. I will be calling first thing in the morning. Does anyone else have any experience with this? My insurance is with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield VA (PPO). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Edited April 11, 200818 yr by atallen06
Mood Changed from angry to hopeful!!

The same thing happened to me. I had my surgery on 4/3 and my out of pocket expense was $2800. When I went to the hospital a couple of days before surgery for my pre-op appts, they asked me how I was going to pay the $2800. I told them that my insurance company told me that they ask the hospitals not to ask for payment upfront as a courtesy. However, the hospital still has the right to ask for the payment. I asked if I can pay $200 as a good faith effort and they said O.K. They just wanted me to pay something on the bill. My advice is to ask them if you can just pay a small amount like I did upfront. I worked with the person that was in charge of billing and she worked it out for me. I paid the $200 the morning of surgery and all went well. Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely see if they can work something out. You've given me a glimmer of hope! Thanks!

Well, I contacted the hospital and for bariatric surgery, patients are required to pay their deductible and/or out of pocket expense two day prior to surgery. Grrrrrr! Well, I'm going to go ahead and schedule the surgery for the latter part of May... if I don't drive anywhere between now and then, I should be able to save a couple thousand in gas! :biggrin:

Well, I contacted the hospital and for bariatric surgery, patients are required to pay their deductible and/or out of pocket expense two day prior to surgery. Grrrrrr! :tongue: Well, I'm going to go ahead and schedule the surgery for the latter part of May... if I don't drive anywhere between now and then, I should be able to save a couple thousand in gas! :biggrin:

Have you looked at getting a loan? There is plenty of companies that give out short term interest free loans for medical procedures and/or deductibles. I used a place but my wife has the info with her. Was easy to fill out and we had bad credit at the time and we still got approved. I paid $200 a month for 10 months for a $2000.00 loan.

Have you looked at getting a loan? There is plenty of companies that give out short term interest free loans for medical procedures and/or deductibles. I used a place but my wife has the info with her. Was easy to fill out and we had bad credit at the time and we still got approved. I paid $200 a month for 10 months for a $2000.00 loan.

Thanks. I may consider that depending on how much I get back with the IRS rebate check.

Another thing to remember is that hospitals WILL work you. They really don't care as long as you pay anything. $10 a month is still something, you know? This has been my experience, anyway.

Moving on to the deductible.... I have a $1000 deductible on my insurance policy, but due to all the appointments and procedures that I have had pre-op, I have met my deductible, so no payment for surgery. Point being, those little $40 copays add up REALLY quick to a deductible, should that be your scenario.

They told me when I went in for my pre-op testing that I would have to pay my deductible before surgery, $500. I paid part of it at that time and can pay the rest right before I go in. I am hoping for my rebate check too.LOL I have Anthem BC/BS of Georgia.

Good luck!

This happened to me too. I had surgery in Austin TX. They wanted $3500 up front. I told them I will pay the day after surgery. The day I was dismissed I could have walked out without paying, because nobody asked. I however went to their cashier and paid $2500. They accepted it and I went home. Months later when the final bill came (36.000), my insurance company only paid the hospital the contracted rate, which was so much lower and that made my part lower too. I even got $1090 back!!!. So try to give them something, but not the full amount, because your insurance will never pay what the hospital bill you. They have negotiated rates. By the way it took me months before I got the refund. Good luck.