Added Expenses?

[kailie 238]

My gastric sleeve procedure is covered 100% and met my deductible so the insurance company told me I would have no out of pocket expenses. The doctors office how ever has charged me $50 to meet with a primary care doctor. $150 to see a behavioralist and soon $250 to see a nutritionist. I asked if these were billable to my insurance was simply told "No." And no further information was offered... Anyone else have these kind of 'out of pocket' expenses??

[Nuchnuch 120]

I had $1,500.00, which was not billable. My doctors visits and tests have been billable. I had to pay this once my insurance company approved me for surgery and before I was scheduled for surgery.

[Vixynne 695]

I have a three-session psych workshop to attend that I had to pay out-of-pocket to the tune of $500. But, apart from a $150 deductible, my insurance will cover everything else (assuming of course, that they approve me after I finish all of the appointments listed in my sig line).

Paying the $500 was a hit in the finances, but there are a lot of people who pay the entire bill, thousands and thousands of dollars from start to finish, out of their own budgets, so in a sense I felt quite lucky.

[No game 14,437]

Sounds about right... I know that my surgeon also had a program fee, I think it was 500?

Oh and a lot of the times the anesthesiologist is out of network too.

[Vixynne 695]

Oh and a lot if the times the anesthesiologist is out of network too.

Uh-oh, I better check into that. I don't want to get hit with an unexpected bill after surgery, thanks for the heads-up!

[kailie 238]

I guess my next question is, why arnt these billable? My mom is helping with the cost because I certainly don't have an extra $450 and neither does she but she REALLY wants this for me.. I intend to pay her back after I lose weight and get back to work full time.. I just didn't understand why they weren't billable.

[Vixynne 695]

Have you called your insurance company to get a clear answer on that? I could make guesses, but I don't know enough about the ins and outs of medical insurance to give you an accurate answer, apart from "every insurance provider has their own rules", and I know that's not a very satisfying answer.

[kailie 238]

Have you called your insurance company to get a clear answer on that? I could make guesses' date=' but I don't know enough about the ins and outs of medical insurance to give you an accurate answer, apart from "every insurance provider has their own rules", and I know that's not a very satisfying answer. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

No I haven't. But I will. It's not that big of a deal but its bothering me.

[ChristieK 70]

I had an extra $1200 at the doctors office for the nutritionist and bariatric supplements and then $1500 at the hospital to meet my deductible. My insurance also covers 100% after the deductible is met. You might want to call the insurance company and verify what your hospital copay is because that is completely separate from your routine doctors visits. The $1500 came as a complete shock for me a week before surgery.

Sleeve Date: March 28, 2013 Weight on surgery date: 281 First Goal 50lbs: July 13, 2013 (231)

[No game 14,437]

Yes and you may want to call the surgeons coordinator also they will have a better sense about any expenses that are not covered by insurance.. Including the array of Vitamins and supplements that need to be purchased and taken daily after surgery..

[No game 14,437]

I had an extra 1200 at the doctors office for the nutritionist and bariatric supplements and then 1500 at the hospital to meet my deductible. My insurance also covers 100% after the deductible is met. You might want to call the insurance company and verify what your hospital copay is because that is completely separate from your routine doctors visits. The 1500 came as a complete shock for me a week before surgery.

Sleeve Date: March 28' date=' 2013 Weight on surgery date: 281 First Goal 50lbs: July 13, 2013 (231)[/quote']

Yes the hospital copay! That was a fun surprise!

1500 here too, I wrote that check before they would admit me!

[Karmen081020 31]

My insurance didn't cover the Nutritional evaluation ($200) and the Psych clearance ($375) and those expenses didn't count toward the out of pocket either. My surgeon has a co-payment of $1,600 and I am only waiting to see how much my hospital copay will be... I will know on Friday.

Yes the hospital copay! That was a fun surprise!

1500 here too, I wrote that check before they would admit me!

Did you pay the day of your surgery or before? thanks.

[No game 14,437]

I payed half on the day if surgery (in my hospital gown) and we paid the rest right after ( a couple of days) because they took 10% ? Off for full payment.

[Karmen081020 31]

I payed half on the day if surgery (in my hospital gown) and we paid the rest right after ( a couple of days) because they took 10% ? Off for full payment.

Thanks Laura. I will have to figure out the amount soon as it seems it will be more than expected.

[Cindy0421 4]

I had a 400 co-pay for the hospital, all tests were 100% covered and a $30 copay for the psych eval and nutritionist. Whole process took about 8 months to get approved tho.