Using another surgery to help cover costs?

[StacieM 0]

Ok so I posted in the intro thread but thought this would be a better area. I am trying to find out if anyone has any expereience of using another procedure to cover hospital and anasthesia fees. I had a friend who recently had a TT (No WLS) and got it done for $500 because she had a tubal ligation and bladder repair done at the same time. She didn't need WLS but looks great right now with the TT. She told me to check into all the stuff being covered but the WLSurgeon's fees.

I want a tubal ligation and bladder repair is not a bad idea (although i was hoping WLS would fix that). Any ideas here? I am self pay so getting something covered might help!

Thanks!

[violeteyes37 0]

I once worked at a insurance company and had heard that some drs who knew the ins and outs of the insurance company and how to code things could get away with codeing what would be plastic surgery under other medical codes. One example was that if a woman had a c-section the dr could do a Tummy Tuck at the same time and it would be covered. Not sure if the rumors were true or not.

[StacieM 0]

I once worked at a insurance company and had heard that some drs who knew the ins and outs of the insurance company and how to code things could get away with codeing what would be plastic surgery under other medical codes. One example was that if a woman had a c-section the dr could do a Tummy Tuck at the same time and it would be covered. Not sure if the rumors were true or not.

My girlfriend just did that.. but she is an OR nurse who works with him so he would do it even if he couldnt find a code to bill...

[jchazen22 0]

Let me see if I understand this---- If I have to have my gall bladder removed (because it has been bad for years and has a 1 inch stone) as long as the doc is already there, do the Lapband? Is that legal? To me, it seems practical. If I have the Lap Band, I will probably have to get it removed at the same time. What is the difference? Interesting.

[StacieM 0]

Let me see if I understand this---- If I have to have my gall bladder removed (because it has been bad for years and has a 1 inch stone) as long as the doc is already there, do the Lapband? Is that legal? To me, it seems practical. If I have the Lap Band, I will probably have to get it removed at the same time. What is the difference? Interesting.

I am waiting to ask my doctor. I want my tubes tied and well if they cover all the hospital stuff and I just have to pay lap band surgeon fees... hmmm

[jchazen22 0]

Actually, I have probably expressed all of this wrong. I am looking for a way that my surgeon can go ahead and take out my Gall Bladder and do the Lap Band too even though I have an EXCLUSION on my insurance policy against WLS. Now, that is a toughy!

[StacieM 0]

Actually, I have probably expressed all of this wrong. I am looking for a way that my surgeon can go ahead and take out my Gall Bladder and do the Lap Band too even though I have an EXCLUSION on my insurance policy against WLS. Now, that is a toughy!

If he is a general surgeon he can take the gallblader out... if the surgery is set up through insurance for this reason and then you would still have to pay some fees for the lap band but all anasthesia and hosptial fees would be covered. HE might even cut his fees for lap band since he will get paid for gallbladder... in fact it's becoming more common to have both done at the same time....

[sharon2u 0]

Yes it is called incidental surgery, whey I had my hysty years back the doc decided to remove the appendix and I was never billed for the appendix

[jchazen22 0]

Thanks for the comments. I am definatley going to ask my surgeon about all of this. I am putting out a fortune on the testing before hand, so I should get some kind of a break. :eek:

[Figment22 0]

<p><p>This is awesome! I called insurance today and initially the lady said gastric bypass is not covered as my husband's employer didn't pick up the rider, but when I asked about lap band she said "Isn't that the same??" Ummmmm...... no! I don't want bypass, I want the lap band. Trying to determine if that means no weight loss surgery at all or just no bypass. I am hoping that if it is nothing at all I can piggyback it on with getting my hiatal hernia taken care of. Heck, they can check for more endo while they're in there too. This gives me hope that I can work something out. For those of you who have done this, did the DR let you pay in installments or was it one big amount?</p></p>