Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

HOw much did the band itself cost???



Recommended Posts

ok guys,

just got my bill from my surgery. I have BCBS. My main question is how much did the actual band itself cost??? THe bill for JUST THE BAND itself is over 7000. anyone else have a different rate. I just want to be sure that I am not getting screwed here. Its not very fun at the moment!

thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I really don't know how much the band itself costs but I'm sure it isn't $7,000. I went to Mexico for my surgery and the total cost for it installed was $7,000.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgery will cost us $15,500 for the whole thing. Including all of the doctors visits, surgery, fills the WHOLE thing. The band itself could NO WAY be that much!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My band kit was listed on the insurance bill as being almost $8,000. :thumbup: Fortunately, insurance gets to eat most of that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have bcbs and i work for them too and mine was round 8000 as well, if you go to an in network provider then the discounts the ins. get is huge, then you percentage comes off the final cost after ins. discounts, my total surgery bill was like 24,503 , but after discounts insurance paid 9067.00 and my portion was 488.91, so i think they have to mark up to get anything out of the claim they submit.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS but my insurance doesn't cover the band due to my husband's company negotiating it away for a cheaper premium. I have a preliminary cost from the hospital for $3,700 for the actual band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doc told me the band cost around $3,000

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is all inflated. My bill was $57,000 but after the discount it was about 15K. If I was self pay it would have been. You guessed it 15K. very little of this is real numbers. My guess based on what I have read is about 3k. 5K to the surgeon 2 K to the anesthesia group 5 K to the hosptial which leaves about 3K in real dollars.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know at all but I would be very surprised to actually know that the band cost anyone 3000 to 8000. I saw it in my Dr.s office, and it is only a small piece of plastic. What you see on your bill is the cost plus mark up. This is typical in many businesses but especially anything medical.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The band cost me $4700. I'm sure my doctor got a bulk discount based on volume though. Depending on how many your provider uses, it could vary widely.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My total bill was $34,750.00 I paid $150.00.

Wow big difference in prices!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I handle the medical benefits for our company and went to a seminar in September on Medical Tourism. The speaker said that medical devices do not cost the same for every country. So to confuse the issue, if you got the band in another country, the cost may vary.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is not all that uncommon in this country that doctors fees paid by an uninsured patient have very little to do with what is billed to an insurance company. There is some"allowable standard" and doctors charge as close to that as they can to maximize what they actually get paid. I paid for my banding out of pocket since my insurance did not cover it. $15,000. And I am absolutely sure if they had billed my insurance company it would have been MUCH more. Why do I say that? They tried to bill my insurance for my first fill visit...$469. It was, of course, denied because I have no coverage for weight loss surgery or follow-up. What will have to pay for a fill visit after the first year (which was included in the $15,000)? $125.

Look at Explanations of Benefits that you've received on other claims. There is often a "discount" applied. And the EOB usually states specifically what you are responsible for so that a doctor cannot come back to you for that larger amount!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is why insurance is so crazy!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×