thinking of switching surgeons and hospitals...need advice/help...

[sheree212 21]

Hi everyone,

Im thinking of switching from emory hospital with dr scott davis to northside hospital to have my vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Reason being emory has a $600 program fee which is very expensive for me right now. Has anyone encountered a program fee at the hospitals they went to? Has anyone decided to switch their doctor and hospital? If so, what was the process? Was it difficult to do. Any and all information would be appreciated!

[loseitsoon 157]

Mine has a $1,000 fee. I paid it as she is the best around here. I have had no problem since I got my sleeve Jan 9.

[firelle 146]

I switched surgeons after completing the psych eval and 6 months of NUT visits. There was no difficulty, and insurance approved me just fine, even though half my paperwork was from another office.

Edit: Neither office had a program fee. What's the point of that? You have to pay copays and deductible anyway. I received a binder full of information, Protein drink samples, counseling with fitness person, etc. It's part of the program.

[HELLO ITS ME CAMI 27]

Never heard of a surgeon charging a program fee. Seems terrible to me.

[sheree212 21]

Mine has a 1' date='000 fee. I paid it as she is the best around here. I have had no problem since I got my sleeve Jan 9.

[/quote']

Wow $1000! That is crazy. I love my doctors at emory as well and I believe Scott davis is good but I know there are others for free or less.

[kiki1196 101]

No program fee here. Never heard of it. I started with one hospital/dr and switched without having to repeat anything. Insurance was just fine too.

[sheree212 21]

I switched surgeons after completing the psych eval and 6 months of NUT visits. There was no difficulty' date=' and insurance approved me just fine, even though half my paperwork was from another office.

Edit: Neither office had a program fee. What's the point of that? You have to pay copays and deductible anyway. I received a binder full of information, Protein drink samples, counseling with fitness person, etc. It's part of the program.[/quote']

I really think thats what im going to have to do. I know there are deductibles which I will have to pay. But 600 extra is just too much to come up with. So imma look into it tomorrow.

[sheree212 21]

Never heard of a surgeon charging a program fee. Seems terrible to me.

Emory does and idk how I feel about it! Imma look into changing tomorrow.

[Georgia Sleeve 2]

Hi everyone' date='

Im thinking of switching from emory hospital with dr scott davis to northside hospital to have my vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Reason being emory has a 600 program fee which is very expensive for me right now. Has anyone encountered a program fee at the hospitals they went to? Has anyone decided to switch their doctor and hospital? If so, what was the process? Was it difficult to do. Any and all information would be appreciated![/quote']

Hi. I had my sleeve surgery at Emory with Dr. Edward Lin. I met Dr. Davis after my surgery while I was in the hospital. In my opinion, they are wonderful and I would not switch. The hospital care I received was out of this world.

As far as the $600 fee, it's not for the doctor but for the program. It is an all inclusive thing. You have to get both. I paid the fee and it gave me visits to the nutritionist (which I used a lot) and it gives you visits to a local support group (that I wish I could have used). I live 2 hours from Atlanta and it was just to much for me to drive back and forth ( both financially and physically).

It is your decision but you do get what you pay for.

[tab 7]

I was wondering if I could be nosey to why would you switch Dr's ?

[sheree212 21]

I was wondering if I could be nosey to why would you switch Dr's ?

Its really because of the financial aspect. Thats really the only reason.