$37,500 for sleeve!

[KarenLoh 128]

So I have to pay 25% of the cost of my surgery with no out-of-pocket limit (there is an OOP limit for all surgeries EXCEPT bariatric - discrimination). So I called to find out what the cost would be knowing that the national average is $19,000 and ranges are $10,000 to $30,000. She quoted me $37,500!!!!!!! That is outrageous. I have called and left messages asking why the cost is so darn high compared to national averages but have not received a call back.

I will wait until my surgery is approved by insurance and call them to ask if they put a limit on how much can be charged but basically - I can not afford 25% of that amount. PLUS, there will be the cost of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. After a year of planning and finally getting close to actually doing this thing, I am devastated by this set-back. I weight 397 pounds and have not had success losing weight on my own in the last 25 years. I have almost no hope in my heart if the surgery can't go through.

Oh, and I can't go to a different hospital because I work at a hospital and our insurance will only pay if we have the surgery at one of our hospitals.

Any ideas out there? So very despondent today...

[Rovobay 920]

Mexico??? there are several threads and a section on just mexico. Good luck... I hope it can happen for you.

[jeanniereenie 177]

i am sorry you having issues with this, i was blessed with isurance that only required me to pay 3-4 thousand out of pocket and was able to actually payroll deduct it so it was easier, i did have to pay the surgeon an additional 1275 though out of pocket. i had to cancel mine before to just save money for those things!

some clinics offer affordable programs to make payments while you are doing your preop weight loss....maybe call around?

see if there is anyway to find a place that may help....

i wish you luck!

[ThreeFifty 166]

When I decided to have surgery (I haven't had it yet - July 16 is my date) I assumed my ins covered it so I made the initial appointment to start the process etc had my mind already set.

I found out that my ins didn't cover so I was bummed, looked into Mexico but I ended up finding a different option. of coarse its too late for this this year but I was early enough that I signed up for the affordable healthcare ins plan. its still expensive as I have a monthly payment (and I didn't qualify for a discount) and I will have a 5k deductible (800 has to be paid up front before surgery)

I figured this would cost me about the same as a trip to mexico but I like the idea of having a doctor intown that I can just make an appointment if I need/want to be seen for something.

[hopefulmom76 41]

That seems outrageous! I am self pay and mine is $12,600 total. I am so sorry! Don't give up!!

[sharonintx 1,275]

That's outrageous. So is $12,000 and so is $10,000. Go to Mexico. Less than $5000 plane ticket and all

[wascott 395]

That's nuts!

Definitely shop around.

I'm self pay and am being sleeved at the OCC in Mexico on the 22nd.

Good luck!

[AvaFern 3,516]

My self-pay was 20K and I know that they jack up the price significantly for insurance patients. Your price is not actually that unrealistic at a decent American hospital with a good surgeon when it is partly covered by insurance. Then we wonder why our healthcare is so ungodly expensive.

Good luck to you!

[kmd0235 38]

I think that price is way too high. Fortunately, I have insurance coverage, but if I didn't, self-pay cost would be $17,500, and that is with a very reputable surgeon at a center of excellence. I can't imagine why the cost would be double!

[steelmagnolia1977 4]

I'm planning to do mine in Mexico in late July; I was quoted a price of $4600. Another doctor in Mexico was $8500. I personally know people that have used both of these facilities & received excellent care!!! I would definitely check into it!!

[her1981 448]

@KarenLoh What did you end up doing? Just curious.