Do I Have To Pay Up Front?

[terrasmom 0]

I am so ready to do this lapband, but the insurance part has me worried -- they said YES, now I have to get "precertified" - Fiser is the company. After which I can have it?

Do you know, since I will owe 20% of the costs, if I have to pay that ahead of time? I'm doing Dr. Spiegel in Houston.

Thanks so much!

[MacMadame 81]

After you are pre-certified, they'll begin the pre-op testing and other requirements. How much you have to do and how long it takes depends on your insurance and your surgeon's program.

For the co-pay, it's just going to depend. It seems bariatric surgeons are all over the place -- some want it upfront, some bill you after they get reimbursed from insurance, some want it all at once, some have payment plans, etc.

[Evlan08 0]

I don't know anything about your doctor in particular, but I work for a hospital where Lap Band is performed and they require any estimated patient portions up front. I would think that most places would since it is an elective procedure but if you are lucky maybe they will set up a payment plan for you. I have also heard of a pretty neat program called "Care Credit" It is like a credit card just for medical purposes and I think that it is no interest for a period of time. I don't really know too much about this either but I'm sure you could find it online if was something that interested you. GOOD LUCK!!

[Mom2_4 0]

My clinic required payment of my portion by the day prior to surgery.

[AAA022414 13]

i was billed