Cost information I wish I'd had before Interstim

[rjyoon]

I'm finally getting my bills from my February Interstim implant surgeries, and thought that others might be interested in the billed & actual costs. I had tried to get this information beforehand, but could not.

The first amount on each line is the billed amount, the second is the actual amount paid.

Trial surgery:
Surgeon $1935 $853.07
Anesthesia $1190 $816
Hospital $22074.75 $16152.32

Revision surgery:
Surgeon $540 $184.24
Anesthesia $700 unknown
Diag X-ray lab $35.25 $10.39
Hospital $10179.20 $7125.44

Implant surgery:
Surgeon $700 $298.16
Anesthesia $700 $480.00
Hospital $45100.17 $31570.12

Total cost: $84,154.37 $56,711.58

Please note that additional bills may come in for other services rendered (e.g., office visits) which will increase the costs.

I'm very thankful for good insurance. My out-of-pocket costs for this were only $600.

[lotsofgirls]

Thank you so much for posting this information, and you don't have to pay the difference between the 84 thousand and 56 thousand?
How are you feeling?
Cath

[rjyoon]

The difference between the billed cost & the actual paid just gets "written off". Thank goodness it's not my responsibility!

I'm doing well; thank you for asking. Some pain in my butt cheek on some days, sometimes enough to limp a little, but it's not bad overall. My sleep is drastically better, and it's such a change to my life. I'm still getting used to that part.

[Teri]

That boils my blood to beyond belief......the dr's charge the max so they can get the top amount the insurance will pay. I had the surgery, and revision, then a removal and I think it was billed out at around 10 grand.....no one got that much but they sure tried:(

I am soooooooooooooooo glad the device is working for you:)
My you have many many nights of non-intrupted nights;)

[littlebear]

Such good info! I'm so glad that your sleep is better--it's been a long road for you and I'm so glad that you're getting results! Enjoy! Best wishes, little bear

[Teri]

You, anyone thinking of having the implant, need to ask your dr how he/she bills for adjustments.......with my first uro I had to pay the $50 out of pocket. With my 2nd uro he knew how to bill properly and I didn't have to pay anything. It can end up costing a HUGE amount of money if you need adjustments weekly and have to pay that amount out of pocket~

[MakinIT]

I know I am waiting for nuerostim surgery and the costs run about $30,000 - $50,000. I can hardly wait. I also have a maximum yearly copay of $600. Since I've already paid about $300 towards, I guess the surgery will be no more than around $300 outta pocket....should they finally get their poo poo together and get it done.

Doc is considering me a high priority person to get done..I'm on so many drugs and all, plus I now have to have a handicapped permit in my car. Very frustrating.:(

I'll see ya all...best to you....Tracey

[trytofight920]

Does the interstim help with pain? :pray: Or is it only the urgency and frequency?

I have moderate to severe pain everyday and would love to have something besides all the pills I am taking.


Sandy

[MakinIT]

interstim does urgency and frequency...nuerostim does pain....thereotecially!!!!Some people actually find relief for pain from the interstim. I'm having the nuerostim done because I'm in such incredible pain..and on tons of pain relievers...so hoping to get it done. I actually got called today and am having it done on the 27th (FINALLY). I'm not sure wether to happy or sad. (Freaked out is the actual word I'm looking for.)

Yipes:rolleyes:

Tracey

[blue]

Is this implant visible?

[MakinIT]

It's not visible unless you are very skinny. Then it usually uncomfortable (from what I've read) because it can be felt against the spine. The permanent part, that goes into the butt, er, hipbone, (which is actually the stimulator) I think is well hidden except for a small scar.

Of course, I haven't had the surgery yet so I'm not sure but this is what I've read.

Hopefully I wont have abig ol' thing sticking outta me....(ewwww) Just another nuerotic shudder.


Tracey

[blue]

Well, I wouldn't have to worry about being too skinny!

[MakinIT]

Me neither...L.o.L.,,,I lost 80 pounds last year and just put 15 of it back on. I have no understanding of why. I just seemed to work out nigh and got up the next day huge. "sigh". Wengd shoppping today. Dreadful. My cute little size 10 outifits that I was putting o n was obviosjly a figure of my imagination.

oh well...tell eveytone to not offer me food. it will save the awkawardness.

pologize for the typoes. New med and my eys keep crossing I want to sleep so bad. If yo don't hear for me in a dah or so, don't worry. I'Ll bee back.

Tracey

[blue]

Sleep Tight!

[MakinIT]

Wow...how'd you even read that prior post? I look like I'm majorly disabled...or drunk....(Ok..I guess drunk is closer..I had just taken some percocet..I believe I was in bed within 2 minutes of posting that!!)

Tracey

[rachelm]

I'm hoping my scar isn't too bad but at least it's on my butt cheek. I'm sefl-consious of it though as I pick out lingerie for my honeymoon. Luckily I have a fiance who seems to find me attractive even when I have wires stuck to me. My scar is about 3 1/2 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide. It's been a month since the surgery and it's healing well but it drained for a long time. I'm on antibiodics again because it looked like it might be getting infective so my dr. put me on doxycycline for another month.

I'm a little sore at the sight of the incision at times but the place where the wires were implanted at the base of my spine doesn't hurt at all anymore.

I've heard that too about the skinnier people having more discomfort with the implant site. I'm not having that problem because I've got plenty of padding back there. I had to have my size 10 wedding gown let out in the back that goes down over the top of my hip/butt area. That would normally really bother me but I'm just glad to be able to walk down the isle after the year I've had. I feel so much better with my InterStim that I don't mind the little inconvienences. I had tried so many other treatments that seemed to work for a while but I was out of options and feeling like I was never going to live a somewhat normal life again. I have quit making predictions with this disease I just revel in the good days as I thank God for them and then do what I can to find effective treatments when I take a turn for the worst.

[MakinIT]

I have so many damn scars that isn't even an issue for me. Ha, Ha...on my butt will be new though. Last surgery (abdominal) I asked for a zipper instead of stitches. the doc didn't think I was funny

We shall see what we shall see...On Thursday morning bright and shinyl

T

[rachelm]

Tracey,

I will be thinking of you this Thursday. My prayers are with you! Let us know how it goes when you feel up to it and remember to take it easy even if you start feeling really good. I've had to remind myself that I still have to watch my diet and rest etc. I started feeling so good that I wasn't paying any attention to my food triggers or added stressors. I'm back to reality though and my body is making me listen. I hope your surgery and recovery go well! :kiss:

Rachel