I'm trying to find information or anyone else who had this problem: insurance coverage, AND the surgeon had an assistant in the OR while I was under & never told me about this. Now I'm being billed for over $5,000.00.I'm happy with the surgery, I lost 40 lbs. but I was told by the surgeon this procedure was covered meanwhile the anesthesiologist didn't take my plan as well. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated on this matter. Thank you!

I had a similar problem years back when I had my gallbladder removed. I had to pay the anesthesiologist because he wasn't in my network...so insurance did pay SOME on him, but I was billed for more. As is usual, he accepted my offer of a reduced lump payment in lieu of me paying the bill off $10 at a time.

If this were me, I'd start with the surgeon and ask him why he selected an assistant and anesthesiologist that weren't under your plan, and take it from there.