Hello, can anyone tell me their situation of whether they had to pay the remaining balance before surgery or do they let you make payments just like any other hospital bill. I think I will be left owing approximately 700 dollars...and just need to know whether I will need that before the surgery can happen. I have actually asked this question to the lady who bills the insurance company at the surgery center..but she didn't know. I know everyone's situation is different...but looking for the majority here to give me a better idea.

Thanks in advance!

I had to pay it up front but like you said I'm sure there are some that haven't had to pay it up front. I had to put some on a credit card but luckily I had my surgery right about the time I got my IRS stimulus check so that's where mine went.

I was told that I would have to pay before surgery as well. The hospital told me that the lap band was considered a cosmetic surgery so I could not make a payment plan. I had my surgery on the 4th and when i went to the hosiptal I thought i would have to pay. But no one ever asked for my payment so I guess the will just have to bill me....:biggrin:

I am self paying but haven't had surgery yet. I was told that the hospital portion $12,000 was due the morning of surgery and the rest (surgeon & anesthia) could be made by payments.

I had to pay the balance up front to the hospital before my surgery. I think it was around $600. They wouldn't take payments after surgery. It all had to be paid pre-surgery. That was for the hospital part. I have since received bills from anesthesia.

Edited September 9, 200817 yr by kdlee

I was self pay. I had to pay my surgeon 2 weeks before surgery. The total was $9900. Don't know what the hospital portion was since his office took care of it out of the $9900.

Every place is different. I paid what I thought was my copay and then had the surgery... Once insurance was billed there was a balance and I got a bill. I paid that a couple months after surgery.

But the best part of was there was an error in billing and I got it all and then some back lol. I didn't even care I got the bill and paid it cause I was so happy I had the surgery.

I would just call and ask them.

My surgeon's office requires payment 7 days prior to surgery, although I was so excited that I paid the day I got insurance approval. My hospital charges are covered 100% since I have met my deductible this year. Of course, each place is going to be different, but it seems to be sort of a common practice for them to want payment up front.