Re: out of pocket expenses...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/17/2003 1:04:27 AM Central Daylight Time,

tracibrown1@... writes:

> I agree. It's extremely difficult. Anytime I think I have an extra $100 to

> save towards something, ooops, all three girls suddenly have foot growth, at

>

> the same time. Or something needs to be done on the car cause its acting up.

>

>

Tell me about it....Kids band uniforms, truck jumped time, Dog tried to die

on me(Who knew I'd have a dog that was worth about a 100 dollars a lb...LOL)

Freezer tried to die but I managed to con it into a few more months. Money is

all the time in demand here! Oh Yeah, a van load of people with no insurance ran

into my daughter and totaled the Tarus and we only had Liability.....Thank

God she was OK.....But the cash drain is getting unreal!

in Bama

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Surgery- RNY to DS revision on12/6 -377.5

12/17 - 346.5 ( minus 31lbs)

02/12-330.0 (minus 47.5 lbs)

05/12- 304.8 (minus 72.7 lbs)-BMI now 48

06/22- 290.8 (minus 86.7)BMI 46.

[Guest guest]

> Im not sure who is charging $12K anymore. I know Dr. Rabkin used

> to..that is how much my friend paid upfront in 2002..and she got

all

> -

when is your surgery?? 2k is alot of money but it is so worth it.

just like we have insurance on our car or home, we have health

insurance. we may not even have to use it but to know its there,

especially with a major surgery, is a good thing to know you have.

2k sounds like a lot but it isnt when you think of how much time and

money goes in to the support groups, the office visits when needed,

the dr's being called on their time off. all of this adds up quickly

and it can cost a lot more than 2k. most insurance companies will

only cover after care for a very short period of time. after that,

you pay out of pocket and it can be expensive. hang in there- i know

money can be tight. hopefully you have time before your surgery to

get this together. if not, allow yourself some time to do so. it

will be so worth it in the end to know your dr will be there

whenever you need him. vicki

[Guest guest]

I don't have my surgery scheduled yet. I have my consultation

scheduled for Sept. 18th. So my guess only, is that it will hit

around Christmas..great timing to have to have the extra cash LOL I

have a plan B that has already been offered to me, but I do not want

to have to use it..I have someone to borrow the money from rather

then delay the surgery. He knows how urgent the need is, as he has

seen my health deteriorate over the last 4 yrs.

As I said, I will pay the money..but for some like ..the money

issue has forced her to cancel her surgery. I wish I had it to send

in her name..I would in a heartbeat. But I am lucky to get my bills

paid and sack any away for my own surgery. My other guess is this

(besides all the reasons we have already stated)...the upfront fee

also acts as a protective device for the doctor to ensure payment as

some people have medical care..then stiff the doctors for their

portion insurance doesn't cover. This maybe one way of preventing or

covering others bad debt also. I hate money..its the root of all Evil

Katharine

> and it can cost a lot more than 2k. most insurance companies will

> only cover after care for a very short period of time. after that,

> you pay out of pocket and it can be expensive. hang in there- i

know

> money can be tight. hopefully you have time before your surgery to

> get this together. if not, allow yourself some time to do so. it

> will be so worth it in the end to know your dr will be there

> whenever you need him. vicki

[Guest guest]

> I don't have my surgery scheduled yet. I have my consultation

> scheduled for Sept. 18th. So my guess only, is that it will hit

> around Christmas..great timing to have to have the extra cash LOL

I

> > Katharine

>

>

>

im glad you have someone who can help you. sounds like you have time

also to get the money together. good luck to you- things have a way

of working out!!!!!!!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

I agree. It's extremely difficult. Anytime I think I have an extra $100 to

save towards something, ooops, all three girls suddenly have foot growth, at

the same time. Or something needs to be done on the car cause its acting up.

Or One of the girls gets a cold and we know within two weeks all five of us

will have it too. Do you realize how much money it costs for 5 people's

worth of cold medicines and kleenex and pedialite and ....AAAGGGHH!!!

But I also have to be fair and say with the amount of phone calls, emails,

and extra paperwork I have put Dee through so far, they have definately

earned the 2K already.

Traci

>From: " Katharine " <ca_nurse_named_kat@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: out of pocket expenses...

>Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 04:32:05 -0000

>

>Im not sure who is charging $12K anymore. I know Dr. Rabkin used

>to..that is how much my friend paid upfront in 2002..and she got all

>but $50 back eventually..but he has lowered the up front costs to $8K

>(per a phone call I made to him 3 wks ago). Still out of my range..I

>would be dead before I could save enough to have the surgery..not a

>laughing matter really. What I dont understand about the $2K is

>this..if it is all our after care...why not just charge us the

>aftercare visit by visit? Then our insurances would pay part of that

>cost and I know I won't be spending $2K? I have a max out of pocket

>and its less then that. I don't think it costs $2K to have 24/7

>people by the phone..times $2,000 by the 500 people he has listed he

>has done already on obesityhelp.com (can't remember where I saw it on

>that site)and that's a MILLION DOLLARS! Above surgery fees! This must

>pay for the jet costs he uses to fly all over for these support

>meetings and such. I know there are printing costs, travel expenses

>etc for the support group meetings..and I know that they pay someone

>to be " available " ..as I have had to do those hours as a registered

>nurse on call before...just seems like it is so hard for people to

>come up with that money in order for them to have the surgery.

>

>Personally, I figure its worth it to me to have the best and I will

>pay the fee. But I do feel that the fee keeps people who need the

>surgery from being able to have it. Why not just increase the per

>visit fee? I dont know why they do it this way..and I am going to

>have to work to come up with the $3790 that I was quoted it would

>cost me...but in the end..if I don't have to end up having open heart

>surgery, the $2K up front was a small price to pay. But know

>this..despite having a decent job, I am raising two children by

>myself..for even me to raise $2K is going to be a challenge. Not as

>big of challenge maybe for some..but I have never had money hanging

>around as long as I have had my kids.

>

>Just my many thoughts on this subject..

>Katharine

>

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[Guest guest]

> Kat,

>

> I can think of one reason: if he charged a per visit charge for

after care, then people would not follow up. If people are lost to

follow up, then his research and statistics he uses to help those

who come behind us have the surgery safely is in jeopardy.

>

> Marta

Noyt to mention their health, and well being....

Sharon in Onyx

[Guest guest]

Well you all know how I feel about this. I actually defend this fee

and believe it in. But it has been soooo hard to raise the money. I

can't lie, it hurts a little (now this is the devil working me,

causing me to be envious so please excuse me) when their are people

out there who have been blessed to have family, friends, or someone

they know actually be able to loan them the fee. Unfortunately the

people in my life are struggling financially so I know they probably

need more help than I do. But what really is ticking me off, is just

like you said Traci, right when you tuck $100 or $200 dollars away,

something comes up, so unexpectedly and puts you back to square one.

This has recently happened (of course you already know this Traci),

and it is soooo discourgaing because you try to stay strong because

of God's courage he puts in me, but then you are like when is

enough..ENOUGH! It is sooo depressing and upsetting that one can't

enjoy this moment, transition to have this LIFE SAVING EVENT because

you are wondering if YOU WILL EVEN HAVE THE MONEY FOR TRAVEL (for us

out of state folks), Hotel, and *dut..dut...dut***THE PROGRAM FEE!

Now I am survivor, and I am not going to stop doing everythign I can

possibly do to make this work until the last minute.

So funny, because my boyfriend tucks me in bed EVERY NIGHT (isn't

that cute) and we talk for a lil bit before I mask up (c-pap machine)

and go to sleep..and last night I mentioned to him, hurting, ARE WE

FINANCIALLY GOING TO MAKE THIS. He said a, I have witnessed you

work your azz off from the time you moved here to Houston, until this

moment focusing on obtaining a good job with good benefits, that were

WLS friendly...and then having that pushed back due to my knee injury

(4th day on the job mind you), he said that I have been extremelyt

focused and have calculated every moment. I even thought I wasn't

going to be approved because my company has a specific exclusion. But

then God worked that lil magic and I was approved in May, but it

through me off because I thought I was going to put up a fight...

But it will make me sooo sick to my stomach if this dang Program Fee

causes me to cancel my surgery..my boyfriend and I moved out of our

townhome week before last and his mom was nice enough to take us in,

just to relieve some of the financial restraints and to save for the

surgery (although unexpected things keep coming up)...so I have

actually done some things to put me in a good position...but the time

is closing in, I know I will have HALF of the $2000 maybe more, but

it is cutting it close to have the full $2000 by time my surgery

rolls around (considering the airline fee which is looking like $620

for both of us, and the the hotel is $48 i believe that is without

tax per night, and then the $250 confiement fee per my

insurance)...so I am taking it a day at a time.

But I tell all of those who are having problems coming up with the

Program Fee, do all that you can to get it because this surgery I

know saves lives. Try to get a second job if you can (good luck with

this job market)...if you exhausted all means and there is a person,

family or friend who is willing to loan it to you...then God has

blessed you with the opportunity..TAKE IT, but of course make sure

you work out a plan to pay it back in a timely fashion.

**HAD TO VENT..THANKS FOR LISTNEING***

-a (Ms.Diva)

> I agree. It's extremely difficult. Anytime I think I have an extra

$100 to

> save towards something, ooops, all three girls suddenly have foot

growth, at

> the same time. Or something needs to be done on the car cause its

acting up.

> Or One of the girls gets a cold and we know within two weeks all

five of us

> will have it too. Do you realize how much money it costs for 5

people's

> worth of cold medicines and kleenex and pedialite

and ....AAAGGGHH!!!

>

> But I also have to be fair and say with the amount of phone calls,

emails,

> and extra paperwork I have put Dee through so far, they have

definately

> earned the 2K already.

>

> Traci

>

>

> >From: " Katharine " <ca_nurse_named_kat@y...>

> >Reply-

> >

> >Subject: out of pocket expenses...

> >Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 04:32:05 -0000

> >

> >Im not sure who is charging $12K anymore. I know Dr. Rabkin used

> >to..that is how much my friend paid upfront in 2002..and she got

all

> >but $50 back eventually..but he has lowered the up front costs to

$8K

> >(per a phone call I made to him 3 wks ago). Still out of my

range..I

> >would be dead before I could save enough to have the surgery..not a

> >laughing matter really. What I dont understand about the $2K is

> >this..if it is all our after care...why not just charge us the

> >aftercare visit by visit? Then our insurances would pay part of

that

> >cost and I know I won't be spending $2K? I have a max out of pocket

> >and its less then that. I don't think it costs $2K to have 24/7

> >people by the phone..times $2,000 by the 500 people he has listed

he

> >has done already on obesityhelp.com (can't remember where I saw it

on

> >that site)and that's a MILLION DOLLARS! Above surgery fees! This

must

> >pay for the jet costs he uses to fly all over for these support

> >meetings and such. I know there are printing costs, travel expenses

> >etc for the support group meetings..and I know that they pay

someone

> >to be " available " ..as I have had to do those hours as a registered

> >nurse on call before...just seems like it is so hard for people to

> >come up with that money in order for them to have the surgery.

> >

> >Personally, I figure its worth it to me to have the best and I will

> >pay the fee. But I do feel that the fee keeps people who need the

> >surgery from being able to have it. Why not just increase the per

> >visit fee? I dont know why they do it this way..and I am going to

> >have to work to come up with the $3790 that I was quoted it would

> >cost me...but in the end..if I don't have to end up having open

heart

> >surgery, the $2K up front was a small price to pay. But know

> >this..despite having a decent job, I am raising two children by

> >myself..for even me to raise $2K is going to be a challenge. Not as

> >big of challenge maybe for some..but I have never had money hanging

> >around as long as I have had my kids.

> >

> >Just my many thoughts on this subject..

> >Katharine

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/17/2003 8:53:02 AM Central Daylight Time,

divainblack@... writes:

> But I tell all of those who are having problems coming up with the

> Program Fee, do all that you can to get it because this surgery I

> know saves lives. Try to get a second job if you can (good luck with

> this job market)...if you exhausted all means and there is a person,

> family or friend who is willing to loan it to you...then God has

> blessed you with the opportunity..TAKE IT, but of course make sure

> you work out a plan to pay it back in a timely fashion.

>

> **HAD TO VENT..THANKS FOR LISTNEING***

>

> -a (Ms.Diva)

>

a,

As an out of towner who had to choke up travel expenses, I

completely understand. I would do all I can to get the proceedure. We choked it

up....Cut expenses as much as possible and took a leap of faith. I can tell you

one

thing.....Be careful and plan for extra expenses......just in case! I was due

to come home the week before Christmas and wasn't allowed to leave. I finally

came home around the 13th of Jan. (I had surgery on the 6th of Dec) So I tell

people that that I was a temporary resident of Bakersfield...LOL.

I was so sure things would be fine, I even went to the Kmart in

Delano and bought a few pairs of clearanced jeans for my daughter for Christmas.

Then Some shirts for my son at the old Navy. (we don't have one here) Boy, did

I wish I hadn't when all was said and done. But back to the story...When I was

" held hostage " (LOL) by my own body, I found out how easy it is for the

unexpected to happen.

Looking back, I'd do it again in a heart beat, I'd change some

things, but I'd scrimp, save, have yard sales, pick up cans on the side of the

road

if it meant getting the surgery. It is SO worth it.

in Bama

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Surgery- RNY to DS revision on12/6 -377.5

12/17 - 346.5 ( minus 31lbs)

02/12-330.0 (minus 47.5 lbs)

05/12- 304.8 (minus 72.7 lbs)-BMI now 48

06/22- 290.8 (minus 86.7)BMI 46.

[Guest guest]

,

GOODNESS GRIEF..you were there for nearly a month. See, that is what

scares me...I am praying to my God Almighty to have what is about to

happen to me be uneventful because I can barely afford that. I just

know that I need this surgery because I am already feeling extreme

hip pain and walking a lil funnyt..I just can't imagine a hip

replacement at age 28...so the time is now for this surgery...so

believe when i say, we are trying to get this done...i can't afford

anything more than that so I pray for no extreme diffuculties..if you

don't mind me asking, what happened to you that caused you to be

there for sooo long...how sad and scared you were

-ERICA

> In a message dated 7/17/2003 8:53:02 AM Central Daylight Time,

> divainblack@y... writes:

>

> > But I tell all of those who are having problems coming up with

the

> > Program Fee, do all that you can to get it because this surgery I

> > know saves lives. Try to get a second job if you can (good luck

with

> > this job market)...if you exhausted all means and there is a

person,

> > family or friend who is willing to loan it to you...then God has

> > blessed you with the opportunity..TAKE IT, but of course make

sure

> > you work out a plan to pay it back in a timely fashion.

> >

> > **HAD TO VENT..THANKS FOR LISTNEING***

> >

> > -a (Ms.Diva)

> >

>

> a,

> As an out of towner who had to choke up travel expenses, I

> completely understand. I would do all I can to get the proceedure.

We choked it

> up....Cut expenses as much as possible and took a leap of faith. I

can tell you one

> thing.....Be careful and plan for extra expenses......just in case!

I was due

> to come home the week before Christmas and wasn't allowed to leave.

I finally

> came home around the 13th of Jan. (I had surgery on the 6th of Dec)

So I tell

> people that that I was a temporary resident of Bakersfield...LOL.

> I was so sure things would be fine, I even went to the

Kmart in

> Delano and bought a few pairs of clearanced jeans for my daughter

for Christmas.

> Then Some shirts for my son at the old Navy. (we don't have one

here) Boy, did

> I wish I hadn't when all was said and done. But back to the

story...When I was

> " held hostage " (LOL) by my own body, I found out how easy it is for

the

> unexpected to happen.

> Looking back, I'd do it again in a heart beat, I'd change

some

> things, but I'd scrimp, save, have yard sales, pick up cans on the

side of the road

> if it meant getting the surgery. It is SO worth it.

> in Bama

>

>

http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Surgery- RNY to DS revision on12/6 -377.5

> 12/17 - 346.5 ( minus

31lbs)

>

> 02/12-330.0 (minus 47.5

lbs)

> 05/12- 304.8 (minus 72.7 lbs)-BMI now 48

> 06/22- 290.8 (minus 86.7)BMI 46.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know I'm really late making my comments on this thread but I have

always, and will always, believe that Dr. K is thoroughly entitled to

that $2000 fee he charges. Think about it this way. It doesn't just

go to him. Who do you call after hours when you need care? Not Dr.

Keshishian! You call Dee, or Dawn, or whomever the nurse is on

call. So, that fee is also going to their hard work. After all the

times I've had to contact the office at weird hours or even during

normal hours for questions, concerns, pain, etc., I would willingly

pay the fee again if I had to. The comfort of knowing that his

office will always be there for me for anything DS related, no matter

what, for the first two years after surgery is something that I

consider priceless.

Tracey

What I dont understand about the $2K is

> this..if it is all our after care...why not just charge us the

> aftercare visit by visit?

>

> Just my many thoughts on this subject..

> Katharine