Question and a little wining for NYU lap banders

[Sooverit! 1]

Hi NYUers:

First background, I met with Dr. Fielding in April and he made me feel like I'd be nuts NOT to get a lap band. I felt so confident and relaxed with him and wanted to chat with him all day. He is a star!

Since then I've obedientlly jumped through every hoop Cigna asked for and eventually was told in three separate letters (3 appeals) that the LB is not covered because it is considered in the "experimental" stage. Wow one long experiement huh. I used Obesitylaw.com they were great and did all they could for me.

Question: My next step is paying out of pocket and or getting financing. Has anyone paid out of pocket here? Are the prices the same for a self payer? Has anyone gotten a bill and know how much exactely the total cost is an how long it takes to get financing. I'm worried with the frightening state of financial institutions right now that I'll be denied a loan but I'm counting on Allergan to have enough of their own funds to lend?

I'm having trouble getting through to NYU at this time.

THanks!

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi NYUers:

First background, I met with Dr. Fielding in April and he made me feel like I'd be nuts NOT to get a lap band. I felt so confident and relaxed with him and wanted to chat with him all day. He is a star!

Since then I've obedientlly jumped through every hoop Cigna asked for and eventually was told in three separate letters (3 appeals) that the LB is not covered because it is considered in the "experimental" stage. Wow one long experiement huh. I used Obesitylaw.com they were great and did all they could for me.

Question: My next step is paying out of pocket and or getting financing. Has anyone paid out of pocket here? Are the prices the same for a self payer? Has anyone gotten a bill and know how much exactely the total cost is an how long it takes to get financing. I'm worried with the frightening state of financial institutions right now that I'll be denied a loan but I'm counting on Allergan to have enough of their own funds to lend?

I'm having trouble getting through to NYU at this time.

THanks!

I was lucky my insurance covered it

Also it is not considered experimental any longer - I think for a few yrs now - like 2001.. So that excuse is BS... If that was true other insurance companies would not be paying for it... Insurance companies don't pay for experiemental procedures.

You should post this in the Insurance section - you might get more response..

But from what little I know about this - self payers to get a diff price than insurance - you negotiate with your doc and hospitals.

Financing is usually done with outside financing - I did look at the brochure at my doc's office - there are financing companies who just do medical financing - plastric surgery for one..

Again I don't know alot about this subject - just from what little I have read here - but I do know that Lapband is not experimental...

Post in the Insurance thread and see where that get you...

Good Luck !!!!

Also there is always Mexico it's alot less than USA - I know alot of pple banded there and have had excellent care...

[MariaC 0]

Make sure you have a written estimate of how much the surgery and incidentals cost for a self-pay. My suregery was completely covered (with the exception of my insurance deductible), and to date NYU and Dr. Kurian have billed my insurance company over $60,000. That was for a one night stay with no complications.

I know the prices would be cheaper for self-pay, but be careful. When I went to the seminar, Dr. Ren stated the surgery was about $30,000, and they have billed my insurance for double that amount.

Good Luck!

[Sooverit! 1]

[sIZE="4"]WOW Maria: I am sitting here with my mouth dropped open! $60,000!!! When I got through to NYU a woman there quoted me $8,000 for surgery $2,000 discount out of pocket) [/size]$1,700 for Anesthesia and $7,000 for hospital stay at NYU overnight. She did say though "now don't quote me because the regular person isn't here".

When I went to the seminar with Dr. Ren she quoted said it will cost "around" $21,000.

Not for anything but if we got a bill for $60,000 that could very well be grounds for divorce around here. My husband work on Wall Street and things are VERY shaky! I found money in CDs I could us for surgery but only around $20 grand not 60!! I WILL get their quote in writting.

Life is unfair - A difference of 20 pounds has caused me to disqualify for insurance coverage. That is the reward I get for killing my self at the gym 3 times a week! Go figure!

[Sooverit! 1]

Hi Indigo and thank you for your thoughtful reply as well. A few months ago I was convinced I wanted to go to Mexico for surgery with Dr. Rumbaut and have the adventure as well. However, I started reading warnings from people here and it sort of made me chicken out and just spend the money on myself. From what I've read though, the care seems to be superior to here in the states. I tell ya Indigo I've been working on this for a year. I see folks that get covered and do it in a week. I think it's me though when we purchased our second home I became a Realtor and looked at houses for 3 years before I found this one and decided it was right. I guess I'm not the risk taker I always thought I was!

Hope your photo shoot went well...I need to look on your site for your posting! I'm sure you nailed it!

best to you,

[Sooverit! 1]

Hey Marie:

Just got off the phone with Melissa at NYU Med. Center and she quoted me $7,600 for hospital stay but that is for a Out Patient lap band proceedure. the cost for one night hospital stay is $12,000.

Now I have more to think about! I would have to have someone with me for outpatient and I'm almost thinking a stay at a NYC 4 star hotel near the hospital would cost $400 and up but much less than a hospital stay.

So she quoted: Surgery: $8,000

Anesthisia: 1,721

Hospital stay pre negotiated: 12,000

Total with stay: TOTAL 1 night hospital stay: $21,721

OUT PATIENT: $17,321

Clearly this was a billing mistake Marie or you had major complications during surgery!:rolleyes2:

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi Indigo and thank you for your thoughtful reply as well. A few months ago I was convinced I wanted to go to Mexico for surgery with Dr. Rumbaut and have the adventure as well. However, I started reading warnings from people here and it sort of made me chicken out and just spend the money on myself. From what I've read though, the care seems to be superior to here in the states. I tell ya Indigo I've been working on this for a year. I see folks that get covered and do it in a week. I think it's me though when we purchased our second home I became a Realtor and looked at houses for 3 years before I found this one and decided it was right. I guess I'm not the risk taker I always thought I was!

Hope your photo shoot went well...I need to look on your site for your posting! I'm sure you nailed it!

best to you,

The hospital billed my insurance like $64k for my surgery - the kicker is that insurance actually only paid $4000 - they write off the rest - makes no sense - but I guess that's the way it goes..

I'm not a big risk taker either so I understand ...

My commercial has been delayed until 10/1 - the others who are in it couldn't make it last week

[michiganbaner1021 0]

im from florida and i had to pay out of pocket because my insurance would not cover. it would have cost me 21,000. I flew to detriot michigan and paid 10700 included everything 1 day hospital and 2 days hotel. I paid seperate for my air flight..It may be worth it to go out of state.

[Sooverit! 1]

Oh, sorry it was postponed Indigo but I guess that's the way that goes. My friend's daughter is a child actress and has appeared on major criminal investigative type shows. What they go through with cancellations and delays in shooting, it a wonder anyone get on the other side of the camera~

Oh and what a racket between the insurance companies and hospitals! We pay for all this! That's another tread though.

Have a good day,

[Sooverit! 1]

Hi Michigan,

Did someone recommend to you a Detroit Doctor? I had been thinking of this route also but don't know where to start ..there are 50 states and I'm getting tired of all this actually.

Thanks for the tip ...I will look into this area.

[Sooverit! 1]

Sorry I forgot to mention that my Regular Primary Care physician is training to be a Fill Do with Fill Centers USA. So fills won't be a problem if I go out of state. thanks Michigan I may just take your name and add a 2. I like your idea!