Cost for VSG

[mmcclure 3]

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of figuring out whether the SRC insurance I have will cover part of the cost for the sleeve and if they will, what my out-of-pocket expenses will be. The hospital doesn't seem to be able to give me any idea what they would bill the insurance company, so it is impossible for me to get an idea. Also, I would like to know so that if my cost is too high, I can make plans to go to Mexico and have it done.

I know that every hospital is different and costs can vary widely. But - can anyone let me know what your hospital was billed? I don't care what your insurance paid because mine is different, but if I can get an approximate (maybe high and low?) of what amounts were billed, I might be able to at least get an idea.

Thanks!

[MidwestGirl 8]

I think mine was about $20,000 which included cost of surgery, overnight stay in the hospital, all my pre-op appointments & testing, and aftercare (dietitian, surgeon, and physical therapist appointments) for 9 months post-op.

[thinoneday 445]

Mine costed me $15,500 that included a 3 day stay at a very private hospital, the surgeon, anestheia, 1 year of after care, monthly visits and weigh ins. . .and a doctor at my beakon call if i need him. . .a hospital only 10 minutes away in case of emergency. . . (my doctor is also the medical director of that same hospital)

[Garyb_58 1]

Mine was $8750.00 in MX which included everything except airfare.

It included all test, surgery and all, one night in Hotel, three nights in Hospital.

Good luck

[MlkPas 5]

Mine is $11,000 for outpatient, $12,000 for inpatient (1 night in hospital), not including preop labs and psych (paid for by insurance) but including followup visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6, 9, 12 months, nutritionist and group support. Doc is only 15 minutes from home, otherwise I would have been happy to go to Mexico.

[MINI-Me 196]

I was self-pay through Medical Tourism with doctor in the USA. Quoted $10,900 for surgery, inpatient stay (1 night in hospital), hotel for my stay, 2 doctor appointments, and phone follow-up visits. My insurance covered preop labs and pysch. I have a free support group that meets monthly. (Note - I did opt for surgical center which saved some $ and I was much more comfortable. I know some don't agree with o/p for this procedure, but it worked really well for me.)

[mmcclure 3]

For those of you that didn't go to Mexico, Is this what was billed to your insurance company or is this the self-pay amount? I'm trying to figure out what my costs will be for my 20% and deductible. Thanks!

[MINI-Me 196]

Mine was self-pay. If it had been billed to insurance the price would have been mid-$20K (needing to meet certain guidelines & paperwork, etc), but the labs and such would have been the same. Pysch visit was $275.00 and Labs/PCP visit was about $500.00

[MidwestGirl 8]

My ~$20,000 was before it was sent to insurance. Post-insurance was around $1,500 that I had to pay.

[Mary Gordon 3]

hi, i had my surgery with Dr. Aceves and i heard from other patients that he's got a promotion going on, so maybe you'd like to ask more info. Try calling Nina, she's the patient coordinator and she'll give you all necessary information. 888-3443916 - goodluck:thumbup1:

[mmcclure 3]

Thanks. I've already been in contact with Nina and Dr. Aceves will be my choice if the insurance company doesn't come through or the co-payment is too high. Both my daughter (21) and myself are doing this, so I really need to find the best doctor at the best price. I won't sacrifice care for cost, of course, but I want to look at all options as well.

[~eclipse~ 0]

Does anyone know anything about bc/bs wal-mart?They won't cover any WLS.Thanks

Edited May 20, 2010 by ~eclipse~

[angel96049 1]

Hello everyone! I'd like to introduce you to my mom (eclipse). She is very interested in getting the sleeve, and ofcourse I have told her about all of you wonderful people, and how much you all helped me along my journey! We were curious about insurance, and how it works. When you have to appeal, can you also appeal when they say that they won't cover wls whatsoever, if you have health conditions? How does the appeal process work?

Also, if we can't get approval from insurance, we are interested in heading to Mexico to get it done, can any of you with experience give us an idea on how it is down there, cost, treatment, etc. We've never been out of state, let alone out of country and want to get all the facts, and research as much as possible. It is a little scary for us, so any input, experience, advice, or help of any kind would be much appreciated!! Thank you all in advance!!

[lmmore 0]

You insurance will show your coverag, deductibles, etc. This is different for everyone, dependant on their policy. So, somone should be able to give you numbers. I have Kaiser, and even they have different policy grades. I had to pay $650 deductible.....and then co-pays for office visits.

[KabinKitty 11]

My surgeon quoted the cost to be between $20,000 and $40,000 for the different surgeries he performs. I figure the lap band and sleeve are at the lower end of the scale. That's with 2 nights in the hospital.