Gastric sleeve with Blossom Bariatrics

[mobroke 2]

Hello all!
I’ve been going through this journey for a painstakingly long amount of time! I’ve been trying to get the gastric sleeve surgery for years. My old insurance started off telling me they do cover the procedure, so I went 6 months into the process for the program coordinator at the hospital to call me last minute and tell me that it was not in fact covered under my insurance. So at the beginning of this year when it was time to choose a new policy, I specifically picked one that would cover it. I even called to confirm. BUT! When I received the updated overview of coverage for 2020, they had JUST amended the policy to exclude bariatric surgery. How crummy?!?
So since I cannot win, and insurance companies do not want to play nice, does anyone recommend or has had surgery at Blossom Bariatrics in NV? I’ve read testimonials but only from their website and YouTube page. I wanna hear from an actual patient, so I know it’s not all fluff.
Their website also states their doing $6K pricing right now. So is that everything? Even without insurance?
If anyone has any insights, and can tell me if it’s legitimate. Please let me know!!
Thank you all!

[Zoomzoom 45]

Hi! I was sleeved at Blossom on December 23. It was a really great experience for me. I too had insurance issues - it would only cover half after the deductible, tons of hoops to jump through, etc. If you qualify for the fast track safe sleeve, yes the price they quote you is all you have to pay. But you do have to have insurance as they will use out of network benefits for some of the things they do. They will go over all of it before you sign up. I too was a little worried because there are a few reviews that mention billing issues. I had no problem. They really take care of you from the time you arrive to the time you leave. I couldn't recommend them more.

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[FinallyLosingIt20 16]

Mobroke, I had my insurance - UHC - also say it was excluded after initially telling me and the doctor’s office that it was covered! I am waiting for Blossom to schedule my surgery now. My doctor’s office was excited for me, so I feel more confident about this.

[mobroke 2]

Thank you both for the reviews!!! I will certainly look into it! I don’t have the 10K at the moment, but I’m saving up and about halfway there. The website says around $6K-$7K for the cost of the surgery, but I need to make sure I’ve got bills and everything else covered as well! Thank you!!

[Zoomzoom 45]

Hi there - give them a call and speak to a coordinator. They will check your insurance to see what benefits they can use and if you qualify for the fast track program, your cost will be put in writing. Mine cost $6499- they were running some sort of $500 discount. I've not been asked for a dime more. The cost also includes your hotel room and ground transportation. Good luck!

[G8trgrl 31]

I’m having my surgery at Blossom in June. My insurance doesn’t cover any of it. The website says starting at 6799. But, that is only if your insurance is paying part of it. Mine is costing $15,500.

[Everything 388]

16 hours ago, G8trgrl said:

I’m having my surgery at Blossom in June. My insurance doesn’t cover any of it. The website says starting at 6799. But, that is only if your insurance is paying part of it. Mine is costing $15,500.

I called them once - I was confused by that process. If the procedure isn’t covered then it would be cheaper for me to go to local and pay 10,000 versus 15,500. There are at least three good surgeons in Florida that are in the $10-$11,000 range!

[G8trgrl 31]

I loved everything I read about Blossom. And, I need to have it done in June. As a teacher that is the best time to get it done and recover before school begins again.

[Sun_Flower 0]

On 5/3/2020 at 12:03 PM, Everythinganna said:

On 5/3/2020 at 12:03 PM, Everythinganna said:

I called them once - I was confused by that process. If the procedure isn’t covered then it would be cheaper for me to go to local and pay 10,000 versus 15,500. There are at least three good surgeons in Florida that are in the $10-$11,000 range!

It just depends where you are located. I'm on the West coast and the self-pay options for sleeve are about $20,000 where I live...and that's if you can get a surgeon to agree to self-pay. Most will not do the surgery strictly self pay/ if you have already been denied by your insurance company. It's too much liability. So, the $14-15 K option Blossom offers makes a lot of sense in that case. I'm having surgery at Blossom in July for those exact reasons.

[Zoomzoom 45]

I have a PPO with out of network benefits. They submitted the claims through that. So they'll just check your insurance first to see if you have benefits that they can use, and then you can get the fast track.

[mobroke 2]

I just know my insurance won’t cover it. I’d be willing to fly to Vegas, or even drive. I live in Arkansas and my family is from California, so we’ve made that drive plenty of times. It sucks, but it’s cheaper than buying plane tickets for 8 people.
Blossom called me a few months ago because I filled out a request form on their website, I was just at work and never called them back. I got discouraged because like I said my new insurance this year decided to amend weight loss surgery and not cover it. I could get a medical loan, or even use care credit if they accept it. Since corona, I’m only working 2 days a week now. So maybe once it lightens up and I can get more days at work, I can afford the monthly payments for a self pay surgeon in my area. But until then, I’m open to all options. I’ve even heard Alabama and Florida have cheap options which are closer to me by far.

[Zoomzoom 45]

They don't use weightloss coverage. Mine doesn't cover it unless you jump through all the hoops, etc. They used out of network benefits in general - I know they got some reimbursement for the endoscopy, cardiac testing, and I think some of the anesthesia. I used my HSA and my own cash to pay the $6500. Wouldn't hurt to call them and see - they will check your insurance at the beginning.

[Luv2cruz 20]

I had my surgery at Blossom back in May. My insurance company would not pay for just weight-loss surgery unless I jumped through 1000 hoops for the next 12 months. I qualified for the fast track and my out-of-pocket cost was $6000. This included all of the appointments, EGD, surgery, IV fluids, all of the medication you will need, compression socks, hotel and ground transportation. We rented a vehicle and did not use the ground transportation though.

I highly recommend Blossom. Just call them and give them your insurance information and they can tell you immediately how much your out-of-pocket expense would be.

[Machta 15]

Good day to all. I was sleeved at the University of Colorado hospital last week, July 16. Early on in my process I had considered working with Blossom, but eventually my insurance did cover the surgery completely. So I went with a local surgeon.

I have a deep respect for Blossom's reputation, and there are sure a lot of people who have been happy with the care they have received. But if I had been in a hotel rather than the hospital for the two days after surgery, it would have been TRULY AWFUL. I had a lot of pain, headaches, and a few complications I'm still working through. This is major surgery, after all. I don't mean to tell you to not go to Blossom, but think about what you need carefully.

Five days out, and I'm doing a lot better. Hopefully I can sleep without pain meds tonight!

Good luck to all!

[JordanKylie 83]

I just know my insurance won’t cover it. I’d be willing to fly to Vegas, or even drive. I live in Arkansas and my family is from California, so we’ve made that drive plenty of times. It sucks, but it’s cheaper than buying plane tickets for 8 people.
Blossom called me a few months ago because I filled out a request form on their website, I was just at work and never called them back. I got discouraged because like I said my new insurance this year decided to amend weight loss surgery and not cover it. I could get a medical loan, or even use care credit if they accept it. Since corona, I’m only working 2 days a week now. So maybe once it lightens up and I can get more days at work, I can afford the monthly payments for a self pay surgeon in my area. But until then, I’m open to all options. I’ve even heard Alabama and Florida have cheap options which are closer to me by far.

You could try Weightwise in Oklahoma. It's where I'm going and so far I like them. I think it's 10 for everything but they're nice and it wouldn't be as far of a drive!

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