Def Self Pay - Now, Where To Go...?

[Taylor5 98]

Hey Peeps!

So I already knew my insurance excluded the procedure, but had hoped to get on a new plan during open enrollment that would cover. Found out for sure that since we are self employed, no plans in PA offer coverage for individuals or small groups anymore. Major bummer. So, finally accepting if this is going to happen then we are going to pay for it. Hubby is agreeable, thank God. I have been pre-approved for a loan (haven't pulled the trigger yet), but the amount is -right at- the point of the gastric sleeve at my local program, at Reading Health Network (now Tower Health) with Dr. Leon Katz, who I like a lot from the seminar (did not get to one-on-one yet).

The problem there is that if there are any complications my insurance probably won't cover it, and I will be pretty strapped already. So do I travel a little and get it done for a package deal that costs less and includes BLIS? And if so, who/where is the best option? Local doc is $16,500 for surgeon/anesthesia/hospital - pre-op tests likely covered by my ins but will have co-pays. No insurance for complications. I have seen package prices quoted between $9-12,000 in TN, GA, VA (I think) and FL. Wondering if there is similar a little closer to me (NJ, DE, MD, WV) that anyone knows of? Or if you have used Dr. Taggar or Dr. Wizman in FL and you went in from out of state, did you have a good experience? Thanks in advance for any advice - just want to put my life/health/money in the best hands possible!

[GassyGurl 428]

I went to Dr Taggar, and had an amazing experience. But he doesn't offer BLIS, only dr wizman does.

Also, check out Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. Cheap flights, nice hotels and his price is somewhere around $11k. Was one of my top choices, but I chose Dr Taggar.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Taylor5 98]

Oh, I didn't realize Dr. Taggar didn't have the insurance. And probably Dr. Wizman's price is higher than that sweet little deal I'm guessing. Ugh, so hard to know what to do! Thank you for the info though, I really appreciate it! I will reach out to the office and see what they have to say : )

[Clementine Sky 708]

I had the VSG in Mexico in August of 2015 because my relatively low BMI disqualified from me receiving any coverage from my insurance, and it would have cost a small fortune to have the surgery in California where I reside. My total cost was $4200, which included a hotel stay at the Marriott and local transportation. I had a very positive experience there, no complications, and consider the surgery to be a tremendous success. My reproductive endocrinologist had recommended the surgery to me for my PCOS, and has done the follow-up blood work.

I was initially very skeptical about going out of country for the surgery, but after researching it felt confident about the decision. "Medical tourism" has become an increasingly popular option for Americans and Canadians, and many of the facilities and surgeons outside of the US are equal to or even superior, but of course it's imperative to do thorough research before proceeding.

[Taylor5 98]

Thank you! I had looked into Mexico for my dental implant surgery - which we are just finishing up payments for now. My case ended up being too complex to have done there according to the staff where I planned to go, but I had seriously considered it. I admit to feeling a little more hesitant due to the nature of this type of procedure, but I wouldn't rule it out altogether. Hearing about others with positive outcomes definitely helps. At this point all qualified surgeons are on the table (no pun intended, lol).

[SepticRuby 0]

I'm totally in the same boat our health care coverage on the marketplace only has two options and they both exclude and weight loss surgery. Self Pay is the only way that I can get the surgery. I've never traveled out of the country and worried about medical travel. I'm here to learn what to do next for self pay. The closest surgeon around me is outrageously priced based on national averages.

[xbadwlfbb 57]

I was self pay and because of my lower BMI, I went to Mexico and had a really great experience. My surgery was done Oct 13 this year. The hospital was clean and new, I stayed there my entire trip in my own room with accommodations for my bf who came with me. After the cost of surgery, flights, meals for him and trinkets to bring home, it was still half of what my local surgeon would’ve charged. I haven’t run into any issues yet since surgery.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Taylor5 98]

7 hours ago, SepticRuby said:

I'm here to learn what to do next for self pay. The closest surgeon around me is outrageously priced based on national averages.

The decision to go to MX wasn't easy for me, especially as I have pre-existing health issues and I know all of my docs here at home will have something negative to say about it. Told the neurosurgeon's office today, and yep, they think I'm crazy. But I'm comfortable with my choice of doctor and facility, so I'm trying not to let them get to me.

I am in PA, and the best self pay prices I found were in Richmond, VA, Chattanooga, TN, Raleigh/Burlington/Cary, NC, Birmingham, AL and Margate, FL. Also some decent pricing at a few places in TX. I believe the places above ranged from $9,000-$12,000, and my nearest facility at home was approx $17,000. Good luck with your research

[Killahb 5]

I had the VSG in Mexico in August of 2015 because my relatively low BMI disqualified from me receiving any coverage from my insurance, and it would have cost a small fortune to have the surgery in California where I reside. My total cost was $4200, which included a hotel stay at the Marriott and local transportation. I had a very positive experience there, no complications, and consider the surgery to be a tremendous success. My reproductive endocrinologist had recommended the surgery to me for my PCOS, and has done the follow-up blood work.
I was initially very skeptical about going out of country for the surgery, but after researching it felt confident about the decision. "Medical tourism" has become an increasingly popular option for Americans and Canadians, and many of the facilities and surgeons outside of the US are equal to or even superior, but of course it's imperative to do thorough research before proceeding.

Did you go to OCC with Dr. Ortiz. I’m currently 6 days post op and that’s who I went and saw in Mexico and I had a fabulous experience:)

[Clementine Sky 708]

16 hours ago, Killahb said:

Did you go to OCC with Dr. Ortiz. I’m currently 6 days post op and that’s who I went and saw in Mexico and I had a fabulous experience:)

No, but he was one of the surgeons I considered. I'm happy you had a fabulous experience! Dr. Fernando Garcia performed my VSG at the CER clinic.