Bariatric Surgery Center - Detailed Cost
Dear Valued Patient:
Thank you for selecting Smith Northview Hospital as your Lap Band services provider. In addition to the health and medical concerns associated with Lap Band Surgery, for many, there is also a financial concern. Lap Band surgery is indeed a major undertaking, but it should be viewed as an investment in your health and future. Smith Northview Hospital understands this and wishes to assist our patients in understanding the costs associated with the Lap Band Program.
Our hospital is currently in the negotiation process to widen our network of participating insurance plans for the Lap Band Program. We currently accept and file claims with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Great West, United Health Care and Tricare plans. We hope this is only temporary as it is our goal in 2009 to work diligently towards becoming a contracted Lap Band provider, with agreed upon reimbursement rates, for the remaining major health plans in our service area. Please be aware that some insurance plans require the surgery to be performed at specific hospitals or as an inpatient; therefore, your insurance utilization may be affected. Some insurance plans do not cover all services required for Lap Band surgery. Each insurance policy may differ in what services they cover as well as the amount of coverage. Smith Northview Hospital reserves the right to revise program guidelines based on changing circumstances.
Many people who have undergone Lap Band Surgery have not been covered by insurance but have arranged payment through other methods. To assist our patients in their financial preparations, we have provided an outline of the private pay pricing structure below.
The cost of the Lap Band Private Pay Program (cash discount or equivalent) consists of the following services components:
| Facility Component | |
| Initial Consultation | $485.00 |
| Dietary Consultation | $156.00 |
| Lap Band Implant | $4,359.00 |
| Lap Band Surgical Procedure | $6,500.00 |
| Sub-Total for SMITH Northview Hospital | $11,500.00 |
| *There is a $60 facility fee for all consultations that is not included in this price. | |
| Anesthesia Component provided by South Georgia Anesthesia Specialists | $900.00 |
| Surgeons Component including 1st assistant fees | $5000.00 |
| Predetermined Cost not including test interpretation fees and facility fee | $17,400.00 |
| EKG Interpretation by ER MD | $62 approximately |
| Chest X-Ray Interpretation by Radiology Associates | $100 approximately |
The private pay program is used when there is no insurance coverage for the treatment of obesity. The private pay program requires payment prior to each component to care with the total cost paid prior to surgery. The patient will be billed for the interpretation services.
The pre-pay program is for patients with insurance coverage for the surgical treatment of obesity other than outpatient Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Great West, United Health Care and Tricare plans. Insurance preauthorization will be done prior to surgery to facilitate the patient filing their own insurance after surgery. Should you wish to enroll in the pre-pay program, a deposit of $5000 must be paid before surgery. This may be paid as a one time deposit or before each is service is provided. You will be required to meet with our financial services staff to secure signed payment agreements for the remaining amounts. If you utilize our pre- pay program, we will be happy to assist you in pre-certifying your insurance plan as needed. You may contact our Patient Financial Services department thirty days following your procedure to request an itemized claim for your personal insurance purposes.
If the hospital facilitates a loan for the patient, the cost of the initial evaluation and dietary consult are not included in the loan.
The surgeon and 1st assistant fees are not included in the pre- pay program and payment must be arranged through the surgeon's office on or before the preadmission appointment. Ask for Jackie at Dr. Burnette's office and Myra at Dr. McCowan's office to arrange the surgeon's payment. Services provided by other health care practitioners to include your mental health provider, radiologist , EKG interpretation physician, or emergency care providers are not included in the private pay program and will be billed separately.
Smith Northview Hospital accepts cash, personal checks at least 10 days prior to surgery, bank/cashier's check, money orders and most major credit cards for payment of service fees. There are also financing options available for those who qualify. Should you have any specific questions regarding payment arrangements, please contact Tyeisha McGhee, financial counselor for the hospital at 229-671-2031 or 2000. We look forward to assisting you.
Financing Options |
- Care Credit: www.carecredit.com or 1-800-677-0718 Care Credit offers 3, 6, 12 Month - No Interest Payment Plans. 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 Month Extended Payment Plans with convenient, fixed monthly payments, as low 9.9% annual percentage rate.
- Surgery Loans www.SurgeryLoans.com or 1-888-502-8020 Loans for $1,000.00 to $25,000, fixed loan terms for up to 60 months
- Park Avenue Bank 229-242-7758 ask for Becky Briggs or Kathy Greer
- Farmers and Merchants Bank 229-247-3585
- Your personal Bank, Retirement Funds, or IRA
- Home Mortgage Loan usually 6-7%
For financing options, contact Tyeisha McGee. Click here to send her an email