I got the Dr. refusal yesty because I can't pay the $7000.00 after care fee. I have Medicare and Anthem BC. Bummed and still hoping to get it done somehow. :thumbup::scared2:

Sorry to hear this, maybe it will work out somehow

What the heck is an Aftercare fee? That is a new one on me and another robbery....isn't there another LB doc you can turn to?

Mimi

Holy moly--that's a big fee!

I have Empire BC/BS---related to Anthem (they're the ones who sent my approval). My "aftercare fee" consists of a $30 copay for each visit/fill after the first 3 fills. I also pay for my Vitamins, which I purchase from my doctor's office (but don't have to).

I did have a program fee of $400 (I think; it might have been $350.) That covers several classes and use of a well-supervised gym on the hospital grounds.

What does that $7000 cover? I'd actually talk with Anthem about it--it doesn't sound quite Kosher. (Do you have an out-of-pocket cap? Is there another doctor who performs banding in your area?)

I got the Dr. refusal yesty because I can't pay the $7000.00 after care fee. I have Medicare and Anthem BC. Bummed and still hoping to get it done somehow. :thumbup::smilielol5:

That is Criminal. Absolutley Criminal. Do they put you up in a Spa in Beverly Hills for that? Jeez.

You should consider yourself lucky to have been rejected by that Doctor. I would not have a Surgeon that focused on money perform my Surgery.

You would be doing this community a service by naming this Doctor so that other will not waste their time.

I can understand a small co-pay or service fee, but that amount is outrageous.

S.

sorry to hear, hope you get better news in the future.

At his seminar he listed all the aftercare that was included, but there are so many others that get by just fine w/o all the a/c he is proposing. I asked Medicare, and they were not much help. I met with Dr yesty and he says most Dr's charge a fee like that. I doubt that they charge anywhere near this amount.

I don't know where to find a Dr that does the LB in my area. Medicare couldn't help me with that either.

I have BCBS and aftercare is my copay. I had the prgram fee up front that covered classes, and all those items, but then aftercare is part of the insurance coverage. Sounds like he is trying to pad his pockets. He will charge X to the insurance, insurance pays what they feel like paying, he has to write the rest off, well instead of really taking the hit and writting it off, he passes those amounts on to you via an after care fee. I think the prgram fee is wrong, so that aftercare fee is nothing but a bunch of BS.

Do an internet search and you should find other doctors in the area that do the surgery. I was lucky, I started at one doctor and when we found out that my specific plan did not include him he was more than helpful in finding me a GOOD doctor that was covered, and he gave me some pointers on all of them, good and bad, so I could decide. I am not sure I would ask this doctor though cause if he is so focused on that fee then he isn't really thinking of helping overweight patients get better!

What area are you in? Maybe we can all offer some search information or personal information if we are in that area?