Endoscopy

[winniehunt 0]

Has anyone been asked to have an endocopy done a year after their surgery? My Dr. has suggested it but the facility where it will be performed charges $12,000. That does not include the drs. bill. I think that is a bit outrageous. I paid $15,000 for the whole lapband surgery including drs. and 1year of fills. I feel like I'm being ripped off:w00t: HELP!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Excuse me,,,,12K for an endoscopy? Did I read that right?

yes that is too much.

[MissBS 3]

Are you having problems??? $12,000???????? If you are not having any problems, I would tell them NO WAY!!! Does your doctor know that's what this place charges?? I think I would do some more research on this place. YIKES!!! Good luck!!! Becky

[seppi 0]

12000. is crazy. I have had a couple on endoscopy's and there were never even close. They take about 15 minutes and there is surgery, it's just a look at the insides. Maybe they misunderstood what it was that was suppose to be done? I would check other doctors. Good Luck

[luluc 6]

are you sure that's not $1200?

$12k is just insane, i realize it's a procedure that requires anesthesia - but each of mine have been 20mins from sleepy time to wake up, and procedure done.

my dr does recommend a yrly endoscope to check band placement, and while i was self pay - my endoscopes are covered by insurance minus my $35 hospital copay.

i would check that price, if you don't have insurance that can cover this - not sure i would pay out if i wasn't experiencing problems.

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

My doctors group does a barium swallow a year out, not an endoscopy. If you aren't having issues, why not ask if you can do a simple barium swallow instead?

Take care.

Sue

[winniehunt 0]

Yes, it is $12,000, my portion would be $1,200 since I only have to pay 10%. I was a self pay since my insurance does not cover the lapband. My concern is if I go elsewhere they will have to file it as a lapband check and the insurance won't cover anything. This place will just say it is being done because of acid reflux. Do you think I can go someplace else and tell them I want it done for acid reflux and say by the way I have a lapband? I am not having any problems and the surgeons office said I could put it off until later, but later still means $1,200!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Winniehunt...just because your insurance didn't cover having the band placed does not mean it will not cover ANYTHING that might be related to the band. For good or ill it's inside you now..and insurance usually will cover. My advice? Before you panic any further, call your insurance provider and ASK. You may be surprised to find out it is a non-issue; and you can go wherever you want to get the endoscopy done. I think it would depend on WHY you need it done, actually. If there's a medical need, then ins will cover. If not, then why have it anyway? Just for the doc to have info? If you are losing, feeling well, no issues, and your blood work is fine, then it is a medically unnecessary test. just say no!

(It's ok to say no to a test you don't think you need)

[winniehunt 0]

Restlessmonkey you are so right! I am not having any issues so I am just saying "NO" and moving on. I will call my insurance just to see where I stand with them for the future. Thanks to all you replied, you all are great!!