Were any of you required to pay a "Program Fee" to your bariatric surgeon prior to WLS? This is a fee that is not reimbursable by flexible spending (pre-tax) accounts. This is a fee paid to a bariatric surgeon who is a preferred provider for my plan. My health insurance has already approved the surgery. This fee is not covered by insurance and they require cash or credit card payment. What do we get for this $500 fee? Nothing....based on information from this bariatric surgical group's former patients.

:thumbup::redface:

i payed 145.00 was 260 if i didnt have insurance,also before surgery 400 not sure even what its for think classes after must be payed before surgery,when i went on dr diet 6 months with insuarnce which bcbs said i had to do was almost 100 a month so its costed me alot,even tho im 100 per covered on surgery

I had to pay a $75 fee during my inital consultation, plus my $30 copay. I had to pay a $95 fee for the nutrition and psy evals. I also had to pay $1000 program fee one week before surgery. I agree that it is a scam. They are just taking advantage of people because they know we are desperate and will pay whatever they tell us.

I didnt have a program fee.... all i paid for was copays and visits to specialists (insurance covered)... also a initial consultation with my surgeon which insurance covered...

But nothing about a program fee:confused:.. this is news to me that they charge something like that.. all i pay for now is copays for fills