$300 for 1st Appt

[vonhelzing 3]

BetsyB,

My mom recently went to the silver cross seminar and when she wanted to set the appointment to meet with the Dr. They wanted $5000 upfront and told her then she could recoup from her ins. even though ins is covering the whole thing. Needless to say, she hungup and went to Little Co of Mary.

On the other subject, I was banded at Day One Health in Chicago and there was never a fee. The psych and all pre-op testing was billed through ins. I never even paid a copay.

[BetsyB 9]

Vonhelzing, that is an issue that is between your mom and her insurer, really. It's not a reflection on the surgeons or the hospital--it's a reflection of the insurance contract.

I have Empire BCBS--my insurance contract covers bariatric surgery at centers of excellence. I have traditional 80/20 insurance with an out-of-pocket cap. I read the contract VERY carefully before even going to the seminar. At the seminar, I provided info for pre-approval, and got a call within 24 hours verifying coverage. There were no surprises.

My total outlay has been:

3 $35.00 copayments pre-op (office visits)

$155.00 payment to surgeon for my part of his fee (after insurance)

$300 program fee, not reimbursable by insurance (the services are WELL worth the cost; they include nutrition counseling, use of gym facilities--and trainer--and fills)

$100-ish in copays for preop labwork and pulmonary function tests

$35, each, for copays to pulmonologist, cardiologist, and psychologist

Each and every one of these things was dictated, 100 percent, by my insurance contract. The doctor and hospital? No input whatsoever, except to inform me of my obligations.

I'm glad you and your mom had good experiences elsewhere, though. We all deserve really good doctors, and it's great that there are a lot out there!

Edited March 6, 2010 by BetsyB

[MaybeBanding26 5]

i went to my seminar a week or two ago and they have a $350 program fee. it covers the dietician appts and the mandatory psych eval. and i think a couple of other things that i cant remember.

[krameramie 0]

My physician required a 250.00 first time appt fee for every insurance except for BS which thankfully I have. But the also have a program fee that they charge to all patient of 3500.00 to covered unlimited visits to the nutritionalist, unlimited fills if insurance only allows so many, support groups. A little excessive but the only other place to have it done is 2 hours away and I would have to travel for fills and everything.