program fee?

[Shelli_d 38]

I'm still in the research phase and this one doctor/hospital has a $200 dollar out of pocket program fee. Did/does any one had to do this?

[aroundthetown 8]

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston has a $500 program fee that is NOT covered by insurance. I had to pay it, and it suuuuuucks. I can see why they do it, but I wish they would give it back to you if you keep all your appointments for a year or so.

[Shelli_d 38]

wow thats alot..i guess they want to make sure you are totally committed to this life change

[Cindy C 150]

Mine was $100.

[MustangMama 2]

I had a $200 program fee as well. Looks like its common to have some kind of additional fee.

[Pittbull29 1]

Mine was $350.

[SIPS in Seattle 344]

:blink:Wow?!?!?!? No, my doctor did not have a program fee. Didn't know they did that, what is the purpose??

[Jodi_620 37]

$375.00 It was to collect all of the pre-op results, submit to insurance. nutritionist, and a lifetime of aftercare guideance (a big joke considering the surgeonrecently pulled up stakes and moved to Florida)

[shakey88 37]

I had to pay $160 but that was for all the nutrition, exercise and life skills classes that I had to attend!

[Lalola 2]

Mine was 600, and as someone mentioned it is for the aftercare. Able to speak to the nutritionist and what not... I am going to be calling them all the time asking them to give me therapy on all aspects of my life!

[SIPS in Seattle 344]

Gosh, I'm so glad my surgeon's office doesn't have anything like that. The nutritionist portion was included as well as all my fills for the first 13 months (I've had 6 so far). My last fill was under fluoro and I didn't even have to pay for that.

[killerhighlights 1]

Mine was $300. It paid for my nutritionist visit, physical eval, and nutrition classes that was all required by insurance. But now, they have post-op meetings (like a weight watchers meeting) each month that I get to attend free of charge and I can continue to see the nutritionist. Plus they gave me a binder outlining everything there is to know about the band and foods with the band. So I would say it was worth it.

I'm actually pretty excited about the post-op meetings. I lost the most weight on weight watchers. I suspect it was the group support aspect (and the points system) that did it for me.

[Snoopyloverny 3]

Mine is &150