Program Fee in Knoxville, TN..HELP!

[tennleslie1 0]

Well, I went to my seminar last night and even picked up my information packet. I'm ready to get the ball rolling. The only thing that downs my hope is their program fee. $3,000.00 Yes, allow me to spell that so there is no confusion (three THOUSAND dollars). Is that normal?? And what about the "consult" price. $300 just to see if they will even do the procedure. Is that refundable if they or the insurance says no to my surgery? And while I'm at it, let me just rant about the information packet. It is truly a pack that only college graduates can understand. There are words in there that I have no idea what they are or what they mean or even if they are English!! Do you think it's possible that if I were to call the nurse that they would sit down and help me fill out my packet. It has to be completed before my consult. I'm just barely out of the gate and already I feel defeated. Help!

[DanaM 0]

I have never heard of no mess like that. I never paid nothing until I was approved by my insurance company! I would find me somewhere else to go!

[jazie 0]

Is your dr charging this $3000? I have never heard of this. My drs was all included in the surgery price. I really can't remember about the consult. Evidently my insurance paid this because it was no out of pocket. I would definitely check around, before I signed anything.

jazie

[Veronica72 0]

I paid a $250 program fee after I was approved by my insurance. My share of the surgery is supposed to be 10% (insurance - BC/BS Federal Employee Program), but I have not received the bill yet.

[tennleslie1 0]

This is from the packet I received: Fees for Gastic Bypass with Insurance.

*Initial Consultation $300.00 This fee must be paid by you on arrival for your consultation but may be reimbursed by your insurance in which case you will recieve a refund.

*Surgical Weight Loss Program $3,000.00 This fee is covered by SOME insurance carriers (mine isn't one of them) It includes:

1. Oversight of your Bariatric behavior modification program

2. Coordination services related to your surgery

3. 24 HOUR Bariatric Hotline answered by registered nurses with special bariatric training.

4. Diet education by a registered dietician.

5.Exercise retraining initiated through consultations with an Exercise Physiologist

6.Follow-up visits pertaining to weight loss surgery for the first 12 months.

It's pretty much the same for LAP BAND only adding Access to secure website information about my case. (What the Heck is that?!)

I know that one dr. in the area charges $500.00 for a program fee but I don't want to do more harm than good just by trying to save as much money as I can. I know that my health is nothing to play with, but if the other dr. performs the exact same procedure and has the same program, am I just paying for the name??