Cost estimates?

[Mamacj 0]

I have been reading as many posts as I can to get information and one thing I have noticed is that the prices people are quoting for procedures are really low. When people say the cost is 7k or 18k, are they referring to the physician portion only? The hospital where I am having my surgery quoted the bill for surgery and outpatient care post op at 48k (I have insurance so that is what is billed to them). I am curious to see if the major difference is that the quotes are from private pay banders.

Also, any idea how much the anesthesia will bill? I called the anesthesia group who will handle my surgery and they told me they couldn't give me an estimate because they had no idea how long I would be in surgery. Any help appreciated! :smile2:

[libguy2753 0]

The place where I'm planning on getting banded charges $10,700 for everything, including 90 days of free fills. The only extra charge I've seen mentioned by anyone is for if you want pain meds afterward.

[HeatherO 7]

It depends on where you go.

You can go to Mexico and have everything done for $7K to $9K for lapband. This covers all fees, anesthesia and a hospital stay.

Here in the USA I have seen it go as low as $10.5K but not much lower than that. When I researched locally in Cleveland, I found prices ranging from $19K to $29K. I also had to ask a lot of questions locally because they start with a base price and then later you get the hospital stay + physician fees + anesthesia, etc.

I have to say that with all the research I did, $48K seems like an astronomical price. That is about $20K above the highest prices I have seen anywhere. It doesnt sound reasonable.

[thin2bme 2]

I had surgery in March of this year and I also have insurance. My insurance was charged approximately $50,000 after the hospital, anesthesiologist, doctor, anybody else involved was paid. Insurance did NOT pay very much of it at all, less than $10,000, but luckily I did not have to pickup the difference. My experience with hospitals has been that they tend to overcharge the insurance company so they are sure they will get the maximum from the insurance companies.

[Mamacj 0]

Thanks, just wondered if I was reading things correctly. I only have to pay my deductible and copay, so I guess that is just what ins is billed. If I asked for a private pay quote it would probably be different.

[nyllrap 0]

I just had my surgery early this morning, was home by 12:30, and

am doing great. I really expected it to be a lot worse than it was. The nurse did tell me I recovered better, right after the surgery, than most patients. Anyway, the cost to me as a self pay patient was $13,500. $4000 went to the surgeon, and the rest went to the hospital. That includes all care and fills for a year. I thought it was a pretty good price. I will not receive any other bills. I did have to pay separately for the psych eval., but insurance covered most of that and $195 for the initial consult with the surgeon.

[allielee 263]

Hi I was banded on June 20 and am a self payer. I paid $18,700 total for everything.. hospital, anesthesia, doctor everything and i get free fills for life. I am in connecticut.

[CassCass 0]

Hello!

I'm self pay and it cost $15,000. That's for everything...the facility (it's outpatient), anesthesia, surgeon, all the pre-op evals, and unlimited fills for the first year.

[MyMeshelle 2]

Las Vegas- Dr. Teng

Dr. Teng & Anesthiologist - $7500 (1 yr of fills included)

Hospital - $10,000 (That covers a 1 night stay, all meds given, etc.)

Physc eval- $175

Nutritionist - $225

Plus i had blood work done an UGI and echo- all were billed to my INS

[Maitai 0]

I had insurance and all I have to pay is my hospital copay which is $250. But I did get a copy of the bill from the hospital that they were submitting to the insurance company and the bill was for $44,000.

I also that at the general orientation the cash price quoted was at $16,000.

So what is the difference, I'm not sure.

[Mamacj 0]

Guess that explains things, it is the self pay vs insurance bill that is the difference. Makes sense, it would be very difficult to come up with 40k for self pay! Thanks for all the help.