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Old 07-29-2010, 09:05 AM
 
19 posts, read 91,777 times
Reputation: 18

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Hi there

I was diagnosed with gallstones last August and I was told that my condition might require surgery if it becomes problematic. Since then I have avoided fatty meals and other types of foods that might exacerbate a biliary colic.

I became a full-time employee in February and obtained medical insurance through United Health Care (UHP) in Late April. Despite dieting, I'm constantly having abdominal pain which means my gallbladder has to be removed soon. The problem is that UHP won't pay for the surgery because it's considered a pre-existing condition. They will pay for it if I have the surgery in Late October.

I have done some research and the total surgery cost might be anywhere from 20k to 30k. I would like to know if anyone else has been in this situation and can give me a better idea or what is approximate cost of having a laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery in New Jersey.

Thanks in advanced!
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Old 07-29-2010, 01:27 PM
 
43 posts, read 191,488 times
Reputation: 28
Would you like to consider alternative location?
Can you travel?
Medical tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 07-29-2010, 05:50 PM
 
19 posts, read 91,777 times
Reputation: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksmoe View Post
Would you like to consider alternative location?
Can you travel?
Medical tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have considered traveling to South America and having my surgery in Peru. It will be definitely be much cheaper... I contacted a clinic there which has a good reputation and deals with international patients and they said that the cost of surgery, hotel stay and airfare is about 5k.

However, I don't feel comfortable traveling and having a surgery in Peru or any other Latin American country. If something goes wrong, you are out of luck...
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Old 07-29-2010, 06:25 PM
 
Location: Ocean County, NJ
912 posts, read 2,447,460 times
Reputation: 461
Have you considered hiring a lawyer to write United Health a letter on your behalf? The threat of litigation (as well as the threat of getting the media involved), even if UHP technically didn't do anything wrong, might nudge them to alleviate the "wait 'til October" condition.
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Old 07-29-2010, 06:33 PM
 
Location: Cranford NJ
1,049 posts, read 4,021,879 times
Reputation: 405
I also have been diagnosed with cholelithiasis. I have been dealing with this abdominal pain and will need to get this procedure soon. From my research, if they cannot remove your gall bladder laproscopically, they reserve the right to cut. So my advise to you is to find the best possible surgeon.
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Old 07-30-2010, 11:13 PM
 
Location: Somewhere over the Rainbow
625 posts, read 3,636,521 times
Reputation: 447
I had my gallbladder removed a little over 4 years ago. When the controller at the company I worked for received the bill she had to show me because I didn't believe the costs. I stayed one night. I had a $500 copay the overnight stay was a little over $13k and the doctor charged about $4k if my memory serves me correct. I still remember my roommate at the hospital she was a little old lady who fell and broke her hip. Anyway if it cost over $17k back then I can't imagine what it cost now. No wonder the nurses and doctor kept asking if I wanted to stay one more night!
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Old 08-01-2010, 10:42 AM
 
Location: all over NJ-currently in Totowa
315 posts, read 871,703 times
Reputation: 135
How much you looking to spend- - I need a job

Really, I dont know , but w/o any insurance I imagine its an expensive procedure
All the best- -
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Old 08-02-2010, 08:05 AM
 
Location: all over NJ-currently in Totowa
315 posts, read 871,703 times
Reputation: 135
I know its serious- no offense meant- - -Id rather need a job than an operation-
much respect
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Old 08-03-2010, 11:56 AM
 
19 posts, read 91,777 times
Reputation: 18
I saw another surgeon last Friday and I don't know how, but he managed to get my surgery approved. I had an ECG, blood work, and abdominal ultrasound today.

Thank you for your responses and I hope everything goes well...
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Old 11-13-2010, 08:13 PM
 
19 posts, read 91,777 times
Reputation: 18
Hi guys

Here is an update for anyone who might be interested. The total cost of surgery, including labs/imaging/follow-up visits was $34,000. I'm thankful that my insurance paid most of it and my I was only responsible for about $1500.

Even though I had to stay one night in the hospital, everything went well. I can now enjoy a normal life and eat anything.
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