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

[S@ssen@ch 745]

My surgeon has a monthly support group meeting. His nurse and a dietician moderates. Although we do not pay a fee, I think it's "worked in" with all the other charges we pay. I have noticed that his fees seem inflated for the surgery itself and for fills.

[GeezerSue 7]

USC doesn't do banding, but they DO charge $800 for their program fee for support for RnY/DS surgeries.

My surgeon charges $2000 ($3000 for revision patients) for his "weight loss program fee."

Interesting enough, those fees are now tax deductible...as long as you have (well...in my case...a Letter of Medical Necessity stating that the program is for the treatment of a disease such as obesity or hypertension. which should be here soon so I can "ransom" my three grand out of my Section 125 account.)

However, when we go into the area of pre-paid follow-up we get iffy, because pre-paid medical is NOT deductible...but, the support groups, dietary advice, education, etc. are all okay.

[NJChick 3]

The support group at Hackensack NJ does not charge a fee. Do you have to use your doc's support group or can you go elsewhere? I'd be floored too.

[RoxanneRoll 0]

I had no fees, my surgery includes a year of free fills, and if you lose 50% of your weight you can get the second year of fills free too. I am not required to go to an additional support group either....I am getting that here...thanks to LBT!!!

[Cinnaberry 0]

My doctor also requires a $750 support group fee. I understand what you mean by how hard it is to come up with the money. I am a single mother and just paid $250 for my first visit. This is going to push my surgery date back awhile until I can save up the money. Which I hopefully can. But while it is alot of money, it is a structured and TOTAL supprt group. Dr. Deol who is my surgeon here in Michigan is so compassionate and totally dedicated to her patients. She does all of the after care for like 3 years and then whatever after that. I try to think of it as paying all the money I'll be saving on groceries and clothes. Smaller sizes are cheaper and the health benefits, well you cant even put a price on that, ya know? Best of luck to all of us!!!

[Cinnaberry 0]

Oh yea, my nutritionist appointments are not covered by insurance either! Has anyone's been covered by their insurance?

[SkyeBlu 0]

Ok i'm going to stop complaining now....

I was complaining about the $4000 I have to pay after my surgury as my part (in reasonable payment arrangements) but I am now realizing I don't and didn't have as bad of a fight as some. Even though they were putzes about it my insurance covered the nutritionist, behavior modification specialist, psychologist and all other pre-op tests. As well my doctor and his nurse run a support group that meets once a month free of charge.

I will be happy with what I got!

That just really sucks that the system has to make it so tough for a relatively inexpensive procedure compared to the grand scheme of things with what our obesity would cost the healthcare/insurance system in the long run if we leave the extra weight on our bodies!

[NJGirl 0]

My nutritionist and pshychologist were both covered by my insurance.

[Sunta 5]

My mandatory support classes (included 3 nutrition classes, meeting with nutritionist, psych evaluation, endocrinologist visit, and "aftercare" such as lifestyle classes and ongoing nutritional support) cost $1,200 out of pocket. I was really steamed when I found out there was another program I could have attended that would have cost $400, but I was roped into the more expensive one.

[pthrlisa 0]

I'm in Peoria, IL area and there are 2 groups run by the hospitals here for the same dr's group. One charges $495 and the other is free. I went with the free one and got what I paid for in education. I had to see the shrink, nutritionist and the dr. The other group has pre op classes and support groups that give tons of info. I kinda fumbled through till I found a group in my area to attend by way of the paper, my "group" leader didn't know it existed.

[leatha_g 4]

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.

You're right. That's outrageous and very opportunistic. Shame on them..

[NJGirl 0]

I actually ended up paying the support group fee of 750 because the second surgeon I consulted with was so condescending and required that I start the process all over again, even though I had already received approval from the Ins. company. I now have a date 4/13/06

[KarenA 0]

I had to pay $750 for the group meeting as well. My Doctor would not do the surgery until I did.

[Vegaswildflower 0]

Mine is 10 dollars a month, with two meeting and all the online care you can handle

[alison4333 0]

HI. It's very normal. actually Dr. Deol's fee is the lowest in Michigan. I have researched it thoroughly. she doesn't make any money from this. it all goes to other disciplines for the aftercare. And she actually has an aftercare program, where as others in Michigan just charge the fee (sometimes as high as $5000) without actually providing an after care. So, it's quite reasonable.