Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Insurance Coverage of Pre-Op Nutrition Class



Recommended Posts

The hospital system I had my VGS surgery required a $200 upfront payment for the nutrition class that was required before having surgery. This was in addition to the 3 monthly meetings with the nutritionist required and paid for by my insurance. Do most programs require a payment for the "class," where they go over the food plan that you should use for the first few months after surgery? If anyone out there has, I am interested in knowing what the class consisted of, and how much it cost.

I am angry I had to pay this money because it was an hour class with a nutritionist who read off of the packet they gave me previously, and gave me again after surgery. There was no new information, the class wasn't one-on-one, and my insurance does pay for nutrition counseling. I do not understand why they charged $200 for someone to read a copied on a regular (what?! Not even in color!) and stapled booklet of information that I was able to read and follow at home.

I am going to try to get reimbursed from my insurances, but I am quite miffed why this cost occured when all others were paid for by my insurance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Aetna did not cover the nutritionist counseling/education that was required by the program. I paid $200 also and was told that no insurances pays for that part.

Edited by mae7365

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am covered through Cigna and they covered my visits with the dietician the same as they covered every other visit required for surgery. I would be upset too if they charged me an additional $200 for information I already had.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm covered by Straight Medicaid, which covers everything (from NUT meetings to the surgery itself). I'd be real upset if I had to pay $200 for nutritional classes.

Edited by Kimba Marie Angelina Wiggins

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm covered by Straight Medicaid, which covers everything (from NUT meetings to the surgery itself). I'd be real upset if I had to pay $200 for nutritional classes.

Hi! I just wanted to say my name is Kemba but with an e. Lol

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My program also had a non-reimburse able fee that covered the nutrition classes. But, it wasn't for just one class but for lifetime access to their NUT.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to pay $600 for my nutritional classes and material out of pocket. Kinda annoyed that they would make this a requirement for surgery and not figure out a way for it to be covered.

Sent from my SM-N900V using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×