Hello, I am new to all of this so please bare with me. I have called and talked to a surgeons office in Atlanta GA...They have checked my insurance and it will cover the lap band....but I was told that the doctor had a $2,000 after care program that had to be paid for up front and is not covered by insurance.

Is this the norm?

Thanks

I haven't heard anything about that... so I dont know.. Sorry!

Alot of surgeons have a program fee , my office was 500.00 for all aftercare meetings , back on track etc... but 2000 seems steep!

Highway robbery...see if you can find another surgeon. Many do NOT have these ridiculous program fees.

Good luck,

Mimi

Thank you very much. I didnt think it was quite right...anyhooo...ive already started making my dr's appts...and am attending a seminar tomorrow....so at least the ball is rolling!

nervous and scared and excited all at the same time...very weird! LOL

I am paying $1500.00 fee not covered by my insurance. But...if I want to do it at a hospital that doesn't charge an upfront fee, it would be out of town and the trip itself would cost almost as much as the fee. Doing it close by, any after care will be closer than driving out of town (more money).It includes the drinks and things we have to have before and after surgery. Including the use of a trainer at the workout room, and a few extra's that I forget at the moment. The first Dr I went to charges $7000.00 for the extra fee! No thanks.

I'm in GA too, but my fee is only $150.

My surgeon's program fee is $1000.00. This covers the protein powder for pre-op diet, a months supply of vitamins, monthly support group meetings both before and after surgery and unlimited nutritionist appointments. I really like my surgeon, so the program fee is totally worth it for me. :thumbup:

I have a friend who used the surgeon you speak of, and has had tremendous results. I scheduled an appointment with him, but then decided to search out other surgeons who didn't have such a steep after care fee.

Good luck to you in your search.

I'd start shopping around for a new DR.. 2000 is kinda extreme in my book.. That's what insurance is for..

My after surgery fees are $3700.00 for the program. This covers a year of aftercare, fills, gym membership with personal trainer, as well as a nutritionist, 24-hour on call nurse/counselor, etc. My insurance will cover the surgery but not the program fees.

spjrkb, where are you located? I am being banded by a Dr. in Albany and there are no aftercare program fees. Everything was covered by my insurance. If you are in ATL, then I suggest "shopping" around. If not, my Dr. in Albany is Dr. Bagnato. He comes highly recommended and I love him! Good luck!

spjrkb, I was banded by Dr. Stephen Davis at Emory Hospital. The hospital does not charge any crazy fees. The only thing that wasn't cover by Aetna was my nutrionist appointments. I would suggest you look around for another doctor.

My doctor fee was $1,000 and I had to do the Optifast diet for 2 weeks and I had to pay $250 for that.

I was told by my surgeon that the fills were not covered and they are $100 per fill and he told me that he has no plans to raise that fee any time soon, I feel that it won't be that bad as he said you go every month for the first year post op, then like 3 or 6 (can't remeber) times the second year and then it is like yearly or something. My insurance has changed since he told me that though, so I am curious if this insurance covers it. My next appointment with the PA is next Tuesday, so I may try to ask her if she knows.

I would look around for a new surgeon. There are no after care fees with my surgeon. Everything was covered 100% except for my protein shakes.