For those who had surgery at Barnes-Jewish, an insurance question
 

My insurance pays 70% with a copay for surgery. Did they want just the copay upfront or did they calculate the cost of the surgery and demand the remaining co-coverage (30% for me) up front? Thanks.

I did not have surgery there but when I did have a wrist surgery they asked for my deductible in advance, even if it was more than my copay. They refunded me after. Nasty practice if you asked me. Why should they keep my money if they don't even know how much the 20% copay is going to be?

I had surgery at BJH inOct 2013, no payment was made until insurance was finalized but this under medicare.

RW

I had surgery Barnes - and I was billed after insurance paid. I had AETNA PPO.

All big hospitals have charity and or financial assistance. This is a little known fact. Everyone should ask for this if they are having any trouble paying all their medical bills. It is only there for the asking. Those that do not ask will be put on a payment plan.

Also, if you are in an expanded Medicaid state ask for Medicaid with a share of cost....even if you have insurance, even if you have a small savings.

There is no harm in applying for these things. The worst thing they say is no. I estimate I have paid $50,000 plus out of pocket in tos related treatments over ten years.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I don't have a deductable and the maximum out of pocket I have to pay per year is $3500. Just hoping they don't ask for that up front. That plus travel plus hotel expenses for me and wife will be a lot. I'm getting some secondary insurance through my university so hopefully that will help.

I was also not asked for any money until after everything went through insurance. My total before insurance was about $60K. I have good insurance and only paid about $1,000 out-of-pocket which was really helpful because like you said the costs really add up when you are going out of town for surgery.

Thanks that is good to know. Were you at BJ? Did you have a good experience? I'm really hoping for a private room so my wife can stay with me.

Yes, I was at BJ with Dr. Thompson. My surgery was in June 2012 (first rib, cervical rib, and scalene resection and aneurysm repair). I was very pleased with my experience and the outcome. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Everything went smoothly - it felt like they were pros at how to make the recovery as streamlined as possible.

I had a double room and had a roommate all but one night if I remember correctly. My parents stayed at the Parkway Hotel while I was in the hospital. They have a special rate for family members of patients at BJ. If you call them you can ask for it.

There is also the Barnes Lodge which I think is really affordable but doesn't take reservations.

I wish you all the best!

From what I'm reading, it looks like patients to go the Surgical Observation Unit first, then to a regular floor? Was this true for you?

Was your surgery a success?

Yes, that sounds right with the observation unit. I only remember a small part of that. I wasn't too coherent until I got to the regular floor. There were several patients of Dr. Thompson's there, so all the nurses and other staff were very familiar with TOS surgery and recovery.

I would say my surgery was a success. The early recovery was rough and I had to do several months of PT afterwards to rehab, but ultimately my outcome was good. I don't have to worry about the aneurysm or any other compressions now, and my musculoskeletal pain is much less than before surgery.

Surgery at BJH in jan 2013
 

Just saw you were going to have surgery at BJH. I had it done in January 2013 on my right side. We did not have to pay anything up front and I have a 80/20 insurance. They have been very good at letting me make monthly payments and working with me on what I can afford.

My surgery was successful on my right side. Have had prob 80% improvement, I am still limited on lifting a large amount of weight, or little things like can't bowl, play basketball, carry too much weight in groceries, or carry around my little ones. I physically can do those activities, but I regret it later as my muscles get really achy so I choose to stay away from them.

I went in on I think a Friday for surgery, surgery was first thing in the morning and I was in a hospital room by like 7:00 that night (maybe earlier as I was really drugged up). My husband stayed at the hotel connected to the hospital which kept him rested and I always had nurses around to help me when I needed.

The only incident I had was one night my pain got out of control and I really wanted my husband there but the crosswalk between the hotel and hospital was locked so he couldn't come over, and we were told to never walk outside at night around the hospital as it is not safe. So I had to depend on my nurse for emotional support to get thru the pain, and after about an hour I got thru the pain and back to sleep.

I did have a double room with another patient which honestly never bothered me (and I am a very modest and private person). You are so drugged up the whole time that I didn't even talk to her until the day before I left. My mom did stay in the room one night, but she just slept in a chair and got no sleep, so she didn't do that anymore.

All I can say is that I have never been around a better group of nurses/doctors. They really know what they are doing as they only treat TOS patients.

Good luck and lots of prayers for you.