Support Group Fees?????????????!$!$#$#$%

[NJGirl 0]

OKAY, I have done everything the doctor has asked, I have not yet gotten approval but they think I am a good candidate and my insurance seems to be willing in all of the cases I have seen....So what is the problem, I didn't realize that there was a fee for joining the support group prior to scheduling surgery, is this common? I was quoted $750. I know this does nogt sound like alot to those of you who have self-paid, however, I am at a point in my life that this fee makes it almost impossible, I am going to have to switch surgeons and start over.

HELP!

[HeatherGurl 0]

YIKES!!! I have never heard of that???

[Alexandra 55]

Well, that's interesting! At a recent pre-op meeting I heard the leader mention to the group that our support groups are free. He said it several times, and then repeated it again later. I thought it was funny that he was giving it so much emphasis, but now I know why!

Call Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons! Their support groups are FREE!!!

[Poster child 0]

My doctor's office told me I had to pay $2500.00 for the psychologist, support groups and the pre-op Optifast. This includes lifetime support. I think that is outrageous!!!! I am going this Wednesday and I will let you know for sure what I have to pay.

[NJGirl 0]

I guess insurances does not pay them enough! Thanks for the help!

[Tricia K. 0]

Oh wow! I've never heard of such a thing. Is the surgeon and his office requiring the $750 for the support group or is this a separate entity? If it's the surgeon and his office, it would seem to me as though their main focus is to squeeze as much money as they can out of people rather than helping them successfully lose weight.

[kimalicious 5]

No way, My support group is free, unless you count the $14.95 a month I pay for internet when I'm on this site getting support!

[NJGirl 0]

The group ios run by the surgeons. He explained that the surgeons always come to the meetings and one must commit to attending and therefore, must pay the $750 prior to even scheduling surgery. I was a little floored.

[Tricia K. 0]

The group ios run by the surgeons. He explained that the surgeons always come to the meetings and one must commit to attending and therefore, must pay the $750 prior to even scheduling surgery. I was a little floored.

That's so odd. The support groups in my area are also run by the surgeons as well as additional medical staff from the local hospital. They've never once asked for money to attend the groups. I hope you find a reputable surgeon that doesn't require this fee.

[Alexandra 55]

You know, part of me understands that doctors charge something for support groups, because they DO cost money if they're done right. Our surgeons' practice has a nurse practitioner attend the monthly meeting, and has made space available for a second monthly meeting to be run by veteran bandsters. Surgeons do pop in from time to time, although their presence is not assured.

Surgeons are NOT in the business of providing support groups, we really should realize that. It's wonderful if they do, but it's unrealistic to expect them to provide all those followup services just for the one-shot surgery reimbursement they get from insurance carriers. Until and unless the insurance industry realizes the value in these services and starts covering them, patients are going to have to shell out a bit.

That said, support groups don't HAVE to have surgeons or medical professionals in attendance every single time to be valuable. And it's unfair, I think, to require patients to pay in advance for a whole string of them at once.

[piercedqt78 658]

Wish center also carges for "lifetime" support. I really don't attend a physical support group regularly. I am trying to start one on my own as my group has a mixed meeting Lapband and RNY. I get great support here and from my family so I don't think I need to attend an in person meeting each month. I have gone when the plastic surgeon was there giving out information and I have attended when the chef talked to the group about healthy substitutes to make food healthy and still taste good. When I considered Wish Center and Barix Clinics both had a support fee and I don't live close enough to attend the meetings but the fee would still apply. THe surgeon that actually did my surgery has a face to face meeting and they have a yahoo group that has restricted membership. I guess every surgeon does it differently. I like the meetings being optional and free if I choose to attend. ~Mandy

[bandayed 0]

My hospital charges a $500 fee for the bariatric program. Brigham & Womes Hospital in Boston has a similar fee which I believe is $300. I thought it was pretty standard so I never questioned it !?!?!?!?!

[Poster child 0]

I double checked and the fee upfront is 2500.00 with and without insurance. They charge this and it must be paid even before surgery is scheduled. My sister had RNY last year in MD and her doctor's office charged this fee as well. Her fee included support, visits with the nutritionist, etc for 1 year. Interestingly enough, he built a new office which has a gym some patients can go there and workout after surgery so they aren't embarrassed going to a 'real' gym. My doctor recently built a new office...?

[HarleyNana 10]

I don't drive to my support group, I just log in right here, LBT, free!

[nightingale2u 42]

The surgeon I transferred my care to has a fee for the support groups and his patients have to pay this fee separately from the banding fee... His patients pay a fee for this and for sessions with a personal trainer. Some of his patients that had their surgery prior to the establishment of this rather large fee attend other support groups by bariatric surgical groups that do not charge.

I went to my original surgeon's support group meetings in the beginning but mostly found the support and info I needed here. It is nice to interact with people face to face at times though.