Doctors in Los Angles area sans Program Fees?

[Cali Sal 0]

Hi All,

I've looked up a couple of doctors here in the surrounding LA area and found that some have "Program Fees" so I did a little search here in the forums and found that these are basically ways for surgery centers to get more money out of us. I haven't met with any doctors yet however I did reserve a spot in seminars for Dr. Oliak, in Orange County, who I've learn has a $4500 program fee and the other doctor is Dr. Pehrsson, out of Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, but I haven't seen anything about program fees.

My issue with this is that I have a PPO insurance with a high deductible and co-pay max, why should I have to pay additional fees to the doctor that my insurance won't cover? So my question is, can you please recommend a few doctors that you know do not have any programs fees?

If you know the geographic area of so cal, I'll go anywhere from Long Beach to LA, Pasadena and out to Orange County. I live in El Monte which is in the middle of these cities.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Cali Sal
typo

[Cali Sal 0]

Anyone?

I've emailed my insurance rep to let her know that some doctors are trying to charge me on top of what my insurance will cover. I'm hoping she will direct me to a doctor but I'd like some feedback from people that have had the procedure. Thanks in advance.

[CurvasPeligrosas 0]

Hello~

I live in Ventura and the Dr. I first saw here had a $3,900 program fee that I could not afford. So I did some research and found Dr. Feiz in Beverly Hills. I went to him and now am 4 weeks post op. I just had my 1st fill yesyerday done by him. I am very happy that I went to him.

His office # is 310)8955-8058

Let them know that Socorro referred you.

Anyone?

I've emailed my insurance rep to let her know that some doctors are trying to charge me on top of what my insurance will cover. I'm hoping she will direct me to a doctor but I'd like some feedback from people that have had the procedure. Thanks in advance.

[Cali Sal 0]

Thank you so much for the recommendation, I will def look him up!

[Cali Sal 0]

I just looked up Dr. Feiz and signed up for the free-seminar in Long Beach, happy to see there was one so close to my job. So I have 3 seminars set up over the next 2 weeks with recommended doctors, only one I've seen any mention of program fees however other people have said they weren't charged any. I guess I'll find out

[CurvasPeligrosas 0]

YAY!!! Good luck with it! I would say call his office and Lupe will be able to check on your insurance and let you know if it will cover all or not. The girls at his offices are very helpful and nice.

[Cali Sal 0]

I wanted to update this post just in case there are others like me that refused to pay the "program fee" some doctors try and charge. I attended at seminar with two doctors; Dr. Katkhouda & Dr. Crookes both excellent doctors you can do futher research on them if you'd like. They work for USC University Hospital (NOT LA County, which is also next to USC). There is no Program Fee and they are both highly regarded. I chose Dr. Katkhouda, fyi. They say right up front that there are no additional cost outside of what your insurance pays them. I recommend anyone looking for a good doctor to look up when USC Hospital is putting on another seminar.

[dazed&confused 0]

That's why I love this place because I have been looking other places to start at An I will start research there asap!