Cash Fees Not Covered by Insurance

[APRPro4U 2]

Greetings All!

So the good news is I am seeing a very good bariatric surgeon on Friday. My primary made the referral and Tricare Prime approved my visit to the surgeon.

On Friday, I will do the psych eval and see a nutritionist.

To my surprise when studying the doctor's site I saw there is a $3,500 fee NOT covered by insurance. Is this new??? The whole idea of having insurance covered surgery is to have little out of pocket. I run my own small company and I have no clue where I will get that money from.

Is it me or does this seem like double dipping (from the insurance company AND the patient)? My credit isn't great due to tough business conditions and the loss of a home in NV.

Now I wonder if I will ever be able to get my surgery. HELP!

APR

[Phranp 46]

Greetings All!

So the good news is I am seeing a very good bariatric surgeon on Friday. My primary made the referral and Tricare Prime approved my visit to the surgeon.

On Friday, I will do the psych eval and see a nutritionist.

To my surprise when studying the doctor's site I saw there is a $3,500 fee NOT covered by insurance. Is this new??? The whole idea of having insurance covered surgery is to have little out of pocket. I run my own small company and I have no clue where I will get that money from.

Is it me or does this seem like double dipping (from the insurance company AND the patient)? My credit isn't great due to tough business conditions and the loss of a home in NV.

Now I wonder if I will ever be able to get my surgery. HELP!

APR

There are a lot of good surgeons out there, and they don't all charge an extra $3500 on top of what the insurance pays them. Find another good surgeon that doesn't require the "extras". I went to 4 surgeons before I found one that would accept "only" what my insurance would pay. Some people may actually need the extra info that they will get for $3500.

On my own I went into therapy with an obesity specialist 8 months before my surgery (I still see her now -- I am an emotional eater, but getting better every day). I researched the band and listened to the many successful people on this forum.

Ultimately it is your decision, but you should not feel tied to a surgeon, there are a lot of good ones out there.

Good luck to you.

~Fran

[Mimilou2004 13]

I totally agree, find another surgeon...that amount of money is highway robbery and as the prior poster stated there are many that don't charge that program fee. Don't be shy about calling around!!!

Congratulations on your decision to band.

Mimi

[Bluegreen 0]

My surgeon does not charge an additional fee. I can't imagine how they can justify it.

[whitetiger011680 11]

Speak to the surgeon and find out what those charges are for. Maybe it's something you don't need and won't be required to pay. If it is required then find a new surgeon. Good luck! Hope everything goes well in your weight loss journey.