seeking self pay advice

Stesti · June 10, 2006

My friend and I are scheduled for surgery on July 6th. We are both self pay and the hospital keeps adding expenses that we were not anticipating.

We've heard that you can negotiate fees when scheduling surgery.

Has anyone out there had any luck negotiating reduced prices with the hospital? :phanvan

msbug · June 12, 2006

I'm going to be banded Aug 15 and am self-pay. The hospital offers all its self-pay patients a 35% discount. The price they quoted me includes all pre-op testing, the actual surgery and post-op care (one night in the hospital) and a year's follow up. Basically the only thing that is separate is the surgeon's fees and the anesthesiologists. I was told the surgeon fees at my first consult (also get a 30% discount on the surgeon fee) and will find out the anesthesiologists' fee next week. I'd sit down with the hospitals financial advisor and the bariatric coordinator, whether through the hospital or your surgeon's office, and have them spell out exactly what is covered in the surgery cost and what is going to be extra.

Good luck!

Stesti · June 12, 2006

Hi Bug:

Thanks for the information. Our insurance picked up our pre-testing and our surgeon's after care is for just 6 months.

Do you mind me asking where you are having your surgery and the quote the hospital is giving you? We are in St Louis.

Thanks so much.

msbug · June 13, 2006

No problem! I'm having it done at the Centegra Bariatric Center in Crystal Lake, Il. I'll be paying $11, 500 for the pre-op testing, surgery, hospital stay, and year of after care and about $5,000 for the surgeon's fee.

forwhtitzwrth · July 8, 2006

Stesti,

I hope you and your friend are feeling good after your banding. Where did you go? I am in St. Louis and am looking for a Dr. Also, how did you get insurance to pay for the pre-testing? Did you have that done thru your pcp?

Stesti · July 8, 2006

My friend and I are thrilled with our surgeon, Dr Van Wagner. He's very upfront about pricing and very experienced at this surgery. He has a great web sight" Heart of America Bariatrics, LLC" You can ask questions on the web sight and usually get a speedy reply.

As for pre testing, our insurance covered it. Our former doctor had the tests coded so that insurance would pay for them.

Our surgery date has changed because we switch doctors. I'm very happy with Dr Wagner and we'll be banded next Friday!

Today was out first day of liquids and I have a raging headache. This was something that I was anticipating though.

Godd luck and let me know if we can be of any help.

forwhtitzwrth · July 8, 2006

Thanks, good luck to you both! I hope you get rid of that headache. Looks like Dr. Wagner practices at the old Lutheran Hospital, I don't think I can get any closer than that! It's geat that Dr. Wagner could aliviate all the concerns you had with the other Dr. He sounds great, Thank you.