sarahv

It's against the law for contracted health care facilities to attempt to collect more than the contracted amount from anyone. Check the EOB (explanation of benefits) that you received that showed how much they paid. It should show an amount that is now due from you. Chances are that it is also either pennies on the dollar or a percentage of the amount already paid by BCBS. (For instance - my BCBS plan pays 80% (of their contracted amount)(0% for WLS of any kind) and I am responsible for the other 20% (of the contracted amount) If the contracted amount for a particular procedure is say $1000.00 they pay $800 and I pay $200 - Check your EOB - if it's still unclear - call the hospital billing office and they will explain how it was paid and what balance if any is due. They can also set up payment plans if there is a balance. The hospital I work for offers a discount if you pay cash so you may want to ask them if they would as well. They contract with BCBS because it guarantees them patients from that plan. They contract with hundreds of plans to maximize the number of patients seen. Don't feel bad because you have received great care at the contracted amount! They agreed to perform the surgery for that amount in the contract. Don't feel bad for the hospital - they are making money somewhere

I just went to Inamed.com and I'm concerned. I maybe missed something - but it's now Allergan Pharmacueticals (sp) which is fine - I saw other posts about the change. The part that worries me is that I can't find ANY BAND info on their site!!! What's the deal? Anyone know? I don't want them to take it away before I have a chance to get one!!! :nervous

StrawartS: I was reading this thread and of course had to read your PB description in the linked thread - ROFLMAO!!! I am not banded yet and really had wondered what PB truly meant - I've hear of the golfball, but never heard the graphic description!! I'm sorry that you had to go through it - but your accounting of it was priceless!! Thanks for the entertaining education!!!

My son was the same way. NO POOPY on the potty. Pee was no problem~~but it took him a LONG time to warm up to the idea of pooping on the potty. I believe we finally bribed him with some Thomas the Tank engine stuff. My advice for being out and about without worry - buy a potty seat that you can take with you ( just the 'seat' that fits on top of a regular toilet ) That way everywhere you go - you have 'his' seat with you. I wasn't too keen on taking it to say the mall - but we did take it whenever we went to someones house. Kept it stored in a plastic grocery bag or small trash can liner. Just remember, every kid is different and you know yours best! Good Luck!!

I also freeze yogurt for my kids. They think GoGurt is supposed to be frozen once you get it home - they don't like it 'squishy' = ) However, I have also frozen trix yogurt and it does change the consistency. My kids will still eat it - but not like they would before it was frozen...... I guess it depends on what type of yogurt it is and how hungry you get once you move on to the mushies = ))

Her auction was pulled by Ebay!! When I read it the first time, I was surprised that it hadn't gotten removed. I believe it's against Ebay policy to offer an auction that has no tangible item for sale and I think they do that to keep people from begging for money. :hippie:

Picardy: Fasting bloodwork is when you've had nothing to eat for the X number of hours beforehand. X is usually 12 - but could be less. You'll have to ask you Dr.

Cashley: Where and when were you banded? Yours sounded like it was pretty straight forward and not too much red tape - just curious! Thanks!

OK.... at the risk of being a post hog (pun intended - ) The 'item' has been relisted. Now the bid is $1.00 buy it now. She wants 10500 people to each bid $1. I wonder how much she'll raise this time?!?

I added this 'item' to my watch list and just got the email that it's ending soon! She hasn't sold either the $9.99 or the $10500.... Maybe I could do the 'kiss the pig' fundraiser -I'm a self pay - maybe that's just the fundraiser I've been looking for!!! Mini Me, you're a genious!! Where do you think would be the best venue for this fundraiser?!?

His & Hers computers are an absolute MUST for us - we are able to share just about everything else = )) My kids are getting old enough now that they're getting their own computers as soon as I find space for their desks (of course they'll be getting our 'old' computers since we just upgraded both of them. Mommy doesn't mind sharing - but the geotrax website just isn't where I want to hang out = )) The restarting problem is either a virus or bad spyware. We use Norton Internet Security suite and it works great. Updates virus definitions regularly and we have regular scans done to make sure we don't run into problems - cause we are constantly on the internet!! Good Luck!

I'm excited for you too!! Please let me know how it goes with Dr. Rumbaut & Monterrey. I'm trying to decide between him & Barix Clinics in Belvidere! The $ difference is about $3300.(more here) But - Rumbaut is said to be 'the rock star' of banding so please keep me posted!!

Where was everyone banded? By what doc?

Hey there all! I'm a bandster wannabe (self pay delay) in the Chicago burbs! Nice to meet everyone! Waiting 4Jesse: I just read Carnie Wilson's book and she experienced the same thing after surgery (although she had gastric bypass) - it's a side effect of surgery/anesthesia(sp) I'm pretty sure it's just Water.

We tried for 11 months to get pregnant with my first - I was 34 when he was born. However, after that - my cycle was like a stopwatch and my daughter was planned almost to the day = )) I turned 36 2 days after she was born = )) I was my heaviest the day she was born - can't wait to get my band so I can keep up with the two of them = ))) Good luck!!

Thought I would just chime in here. I have more foot pain in the morning when I have carbs the night before. If I lay off carbs, the pain is not so bad in the am. For shoes, New Balance is good - but I've recently found that Asics are even better. They have terrific arch support and are very light weight. I was shopping for new balance when the salesman asked me what I like about NB - I told him it was because of the width and he recommended the Asics. I usually need the 'wide width' distinction in everything, but not these!!! I was looking for new shoes because my 2 miles on the treadmill would kill my feet. Just today, I'm up to 2.5 miles in 45 minutes and my dawgs are not barking when I'm done!!! Just my .02

I have BCBS IL PPO through my husband's union. When I called the union benefits office - they gave me an unequivical "NO" when asked if weight loss surgery would be covered. When I asked if it was specifically excluded - it is not. When I pushed as to why it wouldn't be covered, they himmmed and hawwwed and asked if they could call me back - I'm still waiting. I then spoke to Bariatric treatment center who told me that they were in fact contracted w/ bcbsil and that they would cover it if I have 12 months of medically supervised weight loss. What a joke. Cover it or don't cover it - but you're going to make me see a doctor once a month for a year before you pay for the surgery?!?!? How much will twelve office visits plust the lab work for 1 year?!? I'm just disgusted with them and frustrated that now I am either going to be a self pay patient or have to wait 12 months to have surgery. Anyone out there been through something like this? or have any suggestions on how else to work it?!? I don't want to go on another year being fat!!

As a self pay pt. Barix Clinics in Belvidere IL (formerly Bariatric Treatment center) is $13900. (roughly 7915 pounds)

I LOVE the journal idea!! What a caring, compassionate and kind way to go about it. Even if your mother isn't interested in surgery for herself - there is no way she won't be moved by the gesture! What a great bunch this place has!!!

OK! I just need to know.. is anyone here missing a sister?!? I'm here! I'm here!! = )) In all seriousness - the first thought that came to mind was to give it anonymously(sp) Deposit the money in their checking account and then send a note telling her what it's for. OR Pay the physician or center ahead of time and have them send her a "congratulations you've won" type letter. Tell her it was something you filled out for her at your last appointment - it was a drawing for a free procedure.(like the remodeling or vacation things you fill out at the mall) I completely understand the whole -don't want my kids money mentality - but your heart is definitely in the right place! Good Luck!

I am just starting out. I found out yesterday after a bit of wishy-washieness on the part of the insurance company that it is not covered and there is a written exclusion in the policy. So, I'm bummed by that and I apologize, as my feelings of that whole thing may have prompted me to respond to your thread with a bit of attitude. I didn't mean to minimize your frustrations - I really do understand - maybe I'm feeling a little sorry for myself as well = )) I was just sitting here thinking about what I could auction off on Ebay to come up with the funds to pay for my surgery. We have been digging outselves out of debt and are almost there - my husband shared with me last night that he would not want to get a loan for the surgery and feels that with our tax refund would be able to swing it without a loan if we can put it off for a few months. That is discouraging as well - I feel like now that I've found my WLS - I want to get it over with and get on with my life!!! I don't want to live like this anymore. I did get an offer from Dr. Ortiz - because of the hurricanes near Cancun they aren't doing any procedures there but they are offering Dr. Ortiz's expertise in Tijuana for $8500 for anyone scheduling in March or April. Now that I got to vent = ))) Let me know if you have a good fund raiser for Ebay!!!

Look at it this way - you could have some other insurance company who scoffs when you asked them about coverage of this kind!! I get your frustration - I really do - but consider how much worse it could be and thank God that you are fortunate enough to have the right insurer! I pray for patience(for us both= )) Good Luck with your approval and banding!!!

I am looking into it as well in Illinois - not too many people out there from IL I guess... I talked to Barix Clinics in Belvidere and they are $13900. with financing available from a third party. I have a friend who had her RNY there and has lots of nice things to say about them. I also have another friend who had her RNY at the Wish Center in IL and while she said her care was good - it cost her more out of pocket than my other friend and we all work together so had the same benefits. Good luck - maybe we should stay in touch since we're both in IL! What part of the state are you in?

Anyone have any experience with them? They quoted me $13900. as a selfpay. Based on some of the other things I've been reading here I thought it would be more. I know Dr. Rumbaut in MX is $10,500 - but if I can have it done here for slightly more and know that all my followup won't be a hassle - it would be worth the it. Please chime in! Thanks!!!

Well, speak/write of the devil. The union called me back and said again (with more feeling) that it was NOT covered. They haven't covered any WLS since 2000 - because it was so dangerous and there were so many people who 'got really sick' having the surgery. I asked if it was a written exclusion and where I could see it in writing. She didn't know. I also asked her why I spoke with a facility yesterday who said that they were contracted with bcbs il and stated that all I had to do was see my pcp for 12 months for weight loss. Her response was that although they carry the bcbs name - they are privately funded by the union and whatever the union says - goes - and it's not covered. So it's self pay for me I guess. Mexico here I come........