Re: Dr. Hess / Question about fees...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/24/01 10:48:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

jjamineteoj@... writes:

<< The way it was explained to me, was that Dr. Hess has decided that he

needs to get at least $5000 per surgery to stay in business.

Yes, it's very important for these doctors to get $1000 an hour from

desperate patients.

Sheryl

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/24/2001 7:47:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

jjamineteoj@... writes:

> Ok, so at what point do I get my $2500 back? Once the insurance

> company agrees to pay him at least $5000? Once they pay him his whole

> fee? Never?

>

I think its a rare insurance that pays more than 2 or 3 thousand to the

surgeon. What I don't get is if this isn't acceptable why don't they fight

the insurance company. Most people couldn't pay that if they needed a heart

transplant to live...I know this is considered elective but I disagree...I'd

be dead early if I didn't do something to increase my health...and while I

had to pay for my entire surgery, I also spent that 17,000 in another

country....so much for buying American.....

~*~ AJ ~*~

Age 37 5'8'' Post op 7/24/01 Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/08/01 BMI 54.3 357.1 -58.0 lbs! -50.0

10/23/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs!

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My website:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/24/01 9:48:22 AM Central Daylight Time,

jjamineteoj@... writes:

> Ok, so at what point do I get my $2500 back? Once the insurance

> company agrees to pay him at least $5000? Once they pay him his whole

> fee? Never?

>

I would call and ask, but it could be any of these. If your insurance never

pays well enough, you will never get the $2500 back. My insurance paid over

$7000, so I got mine back. I don't know at what dollar amount they give it

back, but it might be the $5000, but I would ask them this. It is all part

of the insurance game, so I don't know how much they can be up front about

and still play the insurance game.

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165  5'  4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/24/01 11:56:03 AM Central Daylight Time,

jjamineteoj@... writes:

> They (the docs) ARE fighting it. By doing what Hess is doing,

> refusing to accept insurance and letting the patient deal with it.

> Crummy for us, but I can see their point of view, at least from a

> business standpoint.

>

>

>

Yes, Dr. Hess refuses to let any insurance company dictate him and therefore

does not sign up with any. That way they cannot dictate his length of

hospital stay or anything.

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165  5'  4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

Don't feel bad this was never made clear to me even when I said 'Do I

have to pay $2500 up front? " I didn't get a yes or no answer. But

from what others have told me, If your insurance pays $5000 or more

you will get all your money back after Dr. Hess has got the money from

the insurance company. If your insurance pays say $4000, then you'll

get back $1500 from Dr. Hess after he gets money from the insurance.

If your insurance company pays less than $2500, then never. Although

I'm not sure if in this scenario you are then expected to pay more or not.

[Guest guest]

> Yes, it's very important for these doctors to get $1000 an hour

from

> desperate patients.

> Sheryl

To be clear, I was NOT criticizing the amount of money he charges.

For me, he is a bargain at twice the price. Have you seen his

office? Have you met him? He certainly doesn't come off as wealthy,

and even if he is, more power to him. His office is very modest. He

has rent to pay, malpractice insurance is outrageous, equipment is

costly, staff needs to be paid, etc. etc.

I highly doubt the good doctor is over-charging. You apparently feel

differently?

[Guest guest]

> surgeon. What I don't get is if this isn't acceptable why don't

they fight

> the insurance company.

They (the docs) ARE fighting it. By doing what Hess is doing,

refusing to accept insurance and letting the patient deal with it.

Crummy for us, but I can see their point of view, at least from a

business standpoint.

[Guest guest]

Dawn,

What insurance company do you have, and where do we all sign up?

Hull

> In a message dated 10/24/01 9:48:22 AM Central Daylight Time,

> jjamineteoj@y... writes:

>

>

> > Ok, so at what point do I get my $2500 back? Once the insurance

> > company agrees to pay him at least $5000? Once they pay him his

whole

> > fee? Never?

> >

>

> I would call and ask, but it could be any of these. If your

insurance never

> pays well enough, you will never get the $2500 back. My insurance

paid over

> $7000, so I got mine back. I don't know at what dollar amount they

give it

> back, but it might be the $5000, but I would ask them this. It is

all part

> of the insurance game, so I don't know how much they can be up

front about

> and still play the insurance game.

>

> Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

> Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

> BPD/DS

> 4/27/00

> www.duodenalswitch.com

> 267 to 165  5'  4 "

> size 22 to size 10

> have made size goal

> no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I paid the $2500 before surgery, I had to take out a loan, and will

have it paid off in 2003. When all was said and done my insurance sent

Dr. Hess $4500 (aprox). I never received any money back from Dr. Hess'

office, as far as I am concerned, Dr. Hess can keep it!

What he gave me return is priceless.

Teri

BPD/DS 2/5/01

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

Highest weight 305 pounds

Weight 287, BMI 50.8, 2/5/01

Weight 174, BMI 28, 10/22/01 The future is yours to make -- so make it

a good one!

> Just had my consult w/ Dr. Hess a few weeks ago...I'll call him if

> you guys don't know this, but I thought I'd ask here first.

>

> Did anyone understand the whole $2500 fee due before surgery thing?

> The way it was explained to me, was that Dr. Hess has decided that he

> needs to get at least $5000 per surgery to stay in business. The

> insurance companies sometimes won't pay that much, so they require

> the patient to pay a $2500 fee to make up the difference.

>

> Ok, so at what point do I get my $2500 back? Once the insurance

> company agrees to pay him at least $5000? Once they pay him his whole

> fee? Never?

>

> Can anyone explain this to me?

>

> Thanks

>

> Joe in Vermont

> Fighting w/ BCBS