A big Hello, and a financial question

arty4004 · 08-05-2007, 10:14 PM

Hi everybody,

A little about me and where I'm at, then a question.
I've got my pre-op appt. this thurday, Aug. 9th at Evergreen Hospital here in the Great Northwest, Washington. I've already met with the dietician and psychiatrist, and had a sleep apnea study done, as well as an echocardiogram. If all goes well, we set the surgery date at my appt.
I've been trying to get my insurance co. to make an exception, which has taken over a year. Each quarterly meeting they bring it up only to find yet another way of delaying a decision. They've now gotten a professional to make recommendations at the next meeting for a criteria that would have to be met. I can see the writing on the wall, this meeting it will be under advisement, next meeting it will be voted on, but for some reason, it will be shelved untill the next one, and voila, another year goes by. Bitter?, me?...not much.
Anywho, this is just a quick history of where I've been, and there'll be more as I post the long trip back to healthiness. I look forward to getting to know you all, and am happy to join you all on this great adventure.
Finally, my question. Without insurance financing this, it's going to be my out of pocket expense. To those who have had to self pay, what was the way you financed it? To those that had the cash, congratulations, but I'm looking at taking out a loan, and wondering about the ways to go about it. I can probably take out a loan against my house, but am wondering if there are other alternatives. From previous appts. with my surgeon, he gave me a figure of about $17,500. This includes all adjustments after as well. I see some of you have gone south of the border, but I'm too close, and am happy to have it done here. I should mention my surgeon had to remove my galbladder last year, and was great. So, let me hear from ya'll, and we'll be talking soon.

Thanks,
Art

**Kat817** · 08-05-2007, 10:23 PM

Welcome Art---
I can't help you on the numbers issue, I was one of them that went South of the Border! There are several medical credit plans available, and the interest depends mostly on your credit score.
This is a great site, and I am sure you will get some more informative answers.
I just wanted to welcome you to LBT and wish you luck on your financing!
Kat

Lottie · 08-05-2007, 10:42 PM

I was approved for this loan the same day I applied online.

Visit: Cosmetic Surgery, Dental Procedures, Vision Costs and more: Healthcare Financing

OR: CALL 1-877-559-5050

They submitted this information to my surgeon.

I've now decided to wait for insurance approval. They just started paying for the LAP-BAND^® April of this year. I am 4 months into the 6 month supervised weigh loss that is required by my insurance company.

I wish you well on your journey.

-LOTTIE

arty4004 · 08-05-2007, 11:17 PM

Thanks Kat,

Looking forward to sharing the journey with ya'll. I see you're close to goal, congratulations. I look forward to meeting everyone.

Art

arty4004 · 08-05-2007, 11:20 PM

Thanks Lottie, I'll look into that. It's been so long, and I've gotten impatient playing the waiting game with my insurance company. But, I'm still going to press them to get it excepted and covered, so the next person will have it easier.