How much will I have to pay?

[suzinrg 0]

I just called my insurance checking to see if they paid for lap band. The lady told me they paid for surgery and fills but not for doctor visits before. Can anyone tell me about what doctor visits at one of these surgeons should run me?

[Jodi_620 37]

It will vary depending on your doctor, all I can tell you is what I paid.

My consult with the surgeon was $470, that covered pre-op consult, nutritional evaluation and follow-up, support groups, and insurance coordination.

My psych evaluation was $500.00.

My insurance covered all other pre-op tests:

• Upper GI at the radiologist
  
• Bloodwork, EKG and surgery release from my family doctor.
  
• Mine didn't require sleep study so I didn't have one, but some surgeons require it.
  

I would think that your insurance would cover the above. If not, you would need to call around and find out the costs.

Edited March 17, 2009 by Jodi_620

[HeatherO 7]

It is really impossible for anyone to tell you that for certain. You would need to see what the insurance requirements are first for submission to insurance and then what the surgeon will require. It is so different for each surgeon, you just never know until you ask. Also, you insurance might require a lot of testing and maybe a 6 month supervised doctors weight loss plan.

Contact your insurance company first to find out the requirements. You will need to know those anyway so that you can be sure to get everything done appropriately to ensure approval. It would be worse to pay out of pocket for everything in the beginning and then get a denial from the insurance company.

Also some tests can be covered if not specifically for possible surgery then for another reason such as GERD or reflux. Just keep this in mind.