I am so ready to do this lapband, but the insurance part has me worried -- they said YES, now I have to get "precertified" - Fiser is the company. After which I can have it?

Do you know, since I will owe 20% of the costs, if I have to pay that ahead of time? I'm doing Dr. Spiegel in Houston.

Thanks so much!

After you are pre-certified, they'll begin the pre-op testing and other requirements. How much you have to do and how long it takes depends on your insurance and your surgeon's program.

For the co-pay, it's just going to depend. It seems bariatric surgeons are all over the place -- some want it upfront, some bill you after they get reimbursed from insurance, some want it all at once, some have payment plans, etc.

I don't know anything about your doctor in particular, but I work for a hospital where Lap Band is performed and they require any estimated patient portions up front. I would think that most places would since it is an elective procedure but if you are lucky maybe they will set up a payment plan for you. I have also heard of a pretty neat program called "Care Credit" It is like a credit card just for medical purposes and I think that it is no interest for a period of time. I don't really know too much about this either but I'm sure you could find it online if was something that interested you. GOOD LUCK!!

My clinic required payment of my portion by the day prior to surgery.

i was billed