Financing - What insurance won't cover

[sberrys 0]

My husband and I are planning on getting banded but our Federal BCBS will only pay for part of the band surgery despite the fact that we meet all criteria. They pay almost all of the cost for gastric bypass but we wanted something that was less invasive and could be reversed if necessary. We are both well over 40BMI and have been for a long time. We have been told by the doctor's office that we will need to come up with an additional $10,000 to cover the remainder for us to both get banded. :eek::wub::thumbup:

$5,000 for us would be quite painful, but $10,000 makes me want to gag. Does anyone out there have any ideas of how to get BCBS to pay more or know of good ways to finance the money? The doctor's office is in transition and not currently providing any financing options.

We have a savings account we can dip in to to pay for most of it if necessary but we'll still not have enough to cover it all and we want to explore our options.

Thanks for your help!

Edited August 10, 2009 by sberrys

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I'd start with BCBS rather than the surgeon. Usually something is covered (subject to your insurance deductible and co-pay) or it isn't. That may or may not be the case in your situation (ie the surgeon may be trying to bill you more than he legally can, or not)

Start with your insurance; take it from there.

[sberrys 0]

Just found out weight loss surgery was tax deductible!!! HALLELUJAH! lol

[Threeboys3 0]

I am self pay and we went through Care Credit . We used it for my husband's Lasik two years ago with no interest if it's paid off in 18 months.

Unfortunetly we won't be able to pay this off as fast but we are going through them again to pay for my Lap Band.

[bigmamma78 0]

Hooray for you for doing this together. I think that is awesome!!! Insurance usually has a top for co-pays per person, per family. So I would contact your insurance most bcbs is pretty good. There going to want codes from the doc. You should also be sure your going through a doc that participates with your insurance. Sometimes these hang ups are a sign from above, maybe your not ging throught the right doctor.

May the Force be with you. God bless you both.