Bcbs Of Al - Costs - Mobile Infirmiry

[bormannk 40]

Hi Gracefulrayne,

I am so happy to talk to someone else who may experience the same as me! Dr. Ringold is my primary care physician and best friend's good friend and surgeon and he came highly recomended.

As far as costs, I have BCBSAL - and my coverage is 80%/20% - They pay 80%, I pay 20%.

I was told my portion of Dr. Ringold's cost would be about $477 if I am not mistaking - maybe a little more, but not much.

I was also told I would pay 20% of the tests and the anesthisiologist as well as the Hospital. Seems the exams and the anesthesiologist would be billed afterwards. The hospital is the part that is more concerning. The hospital will not, under any circumstance tell me what the surgery will cost, they say it could be between $16,000. and $30,000, so my portion could be $3,200 to $6,000... That is a big difference.

Of course it depends if your insurance is the same.

Why are you scared? What is it that concerns you?

[Rena's got this 274]

Hey Rena - When will you know the result of your appeal? I am sending prayers your way and hope it goes quick. I can imagine how you are feeling but I know you will figure out a way to make it work.

I am pretty nervous about being elegible too, and I called my doctor's insurance specialist. She reviewed my files again and assured me I should have no problems becuase of my over 50 BMI history for the last 4 years, but since I do not have a weight on records for 2012, I am still worried (Even though worry will not help me at all).

Let me know how things are going !

I finally got in touch with my surgeon's office last week and they said they had submitted everything else that my primary care physician sent to them. The 30 day wait begins again, so it won't be until sometime in February before I find out. If i'm denied again, he will do a peer to peer review. At that point, if I'm denied again, I'll have to consider Mexico.

Hope ya'll have better luck than I've been having! This wait is depressing.

[bormannk 40]

Hi Rena, I will be sending good vibes your way. I can only imagine how frustrating, I am so sorry

I am not sure why your insurance would do that, I hope it all gets figured it out. Please do keep us posted. I would really like to hear how this turns out.

I have faith!

Karen

[Rena's got this 274]

I got a phone call today....from my surgeon. I've been approved! It has been such a long process, that I can't even get my head around it yet. My surgery date is Feb. 25th!

Its about to get real! Thanks for all your well wishes, they worked!!

[bormannk 40]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Woohoo!!!

[bormannk 40]

Rena, have you had surgery? If so how do you feel? Would love to hear from you!!

[Rena's got this 274]

Hi Karen,

Yes, I had the surgery in February 2014. I've had no complications whatsoever, and have lost over 50 pounds so far. The weight loss has slowed greatly, but I'm still hoping to lose another 50 at least. I only had to pay $100 to the hospital for the co-pay, and my surgery cost insurance $26K, which amazed me. I'm off nearly all of my meds, except for my thyroid medicine. I feel so much better. I recently tried to pick up a 50 pound dog food bag at the grocery, and I couldn't. I couldn't believe I was hauling all that extra 50 pounds around before! My knee feels a lot better, even though the doc says I now have arthritis in it.

Have you had the surgery? How are you doing with it?

Rena

[bormannk 40]

Hi Rena!!

I am so excited to hear you had your surgery and you are doing so well! We are now, both in the losers bench!
I had mine in June and have been doing really great with it as well! No complications, no issues, sometimes if it wasn't for the excessive hair loss and the occasional time I over eat by a bite and my stomach make itself known, I'd never be able to tell I had surgery. It's been a really great journey.

I am seeing a counselor and a Nutricionist specialized in eating disorders and Bariatric patients, because I know I want to lose fast and will end up messing up my health I am also learning about intuitive eating and hope to learn the tools I truly need to never go back again.

Tell me more about your journey when you can! 50 lbs is amazing!! Congratulations! Ok tell me more!!

Talk soon

Karen