I have UHC PPO. My surgeon was out of network. My hospital was in network. My anesthesiologist and radiologist were also in network.(You need to check with these doctors before your surgery, but if your hospital is in network, your anesthesiologist and radiologist are most likely willing to accept what UHC pays). Since WLS for morbid obesity is an approved procedure in the policy purchased by our workplace, my surgery was covered. Hospital and in network doctors 100%. Surgeon 70% after meeting my deductible. The balance owed to the surgeon I negotiated with him. I was lucky. He accepted the difference between what the insurance company paid him (about $4,500) and what he "needed" to receive for the surgery ($6,000). I paid him $1,500. But I was fortunate. His office usually asks for $2,500 up front for out-of-network patients. He made an exception for me, and I'm very grateful. I am not a woman of means.

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Banded 2/24/04
Dr. Frank Borao, Long Branch, NJ
First fill 10 weeks post-op 1.5cc
Second fill 13 weeks post-op 2.0cc