Self pay versus insurance

WannaBeMeAgain · February 27, 2008

I have a question if anyone knows, I have UHC, and from what I have read on their site, they will cover this if my BMI is 35-40 or higher (currently 42) and I have comorbs. Well, I have severe, almost bone on bone arthritis in my knee, so yeah, have comorbs.

My question is, I see a lot of 'self pays' how does that work? I don't have 17,000 sitting around, but I sure would like to fast track this as much as possible. What's the deal?

Thanks!

WannaBeMeAgain

WASaBubbleButt · February 28, 2008

I have a question if anyone knows, I have UHC, and from what I have read on their site, they will cover this if my BMI is 35-40 or higher (currently 42) and I have comorbs. Well, I have severe, almost bone on bone arthritis in my knee, so yeah, have comorbs.
My question is, I see a lot of 'self pays' how does that work? I don't have 17,000 sitting around, but I sure would like to fast track this as much as possible. What's the deal?

Thanks!

WannaBeMeAgain

If insurance covers banding you aren't considering self pay are you? It's a lot of money if insurance should pay for it.

Self pay... people do just about anything to get this surgery. I was lucky, I just wrote a check. Some folks get medical/surgical loans, some refinance their homes, some borrow from friends and family, some sell personal belongings, one person even went dumpster diving and sold treasures on ebay until she saved the money.

It doesn't have to be $17K, Mexico is a cheaper option, less than half the price. Dr. K in CO is $10K. The prices are coming down, thankfully.