$600 Bariatric Program Fee

[Lennyb724 13]

If you are anywhere near cedars-sinai, they do not charge a "program fee" and it's a great center. They are par with. Bcbs of ca - even their anesthesiologists are par!

My surgeon works out of Cedars and St. Joe's in Burbank. I've opted to go to St. Joe's be cause it's a mile from my house. But it's not the hospital that charges the "Membership Fee", it's the Surgeon. It's all very confusing.

[J-Cal8 13]

My surgeon works out of Cedars and St. Joe's in Burbank. I've opted to go to St. Joe's be cause it's a mile from my house. But it's not the hospital that charges the "Membership Fee", it's the Surgeon. It's all very confusing.

My drs office is in the hospital. They bill separately, neither charge the program fee.

[Susan11803 219]

Couple of years ago i was looking to have bypass surgery and they want 5,000 just for the 6 months diet program, didn't do it. Now I just have a bunch of copay, total right now is $260.00.

[jtickle 295]

I had to pay a 100 dollar enrollment fee at the seminar to start the program and now that i am scheduled for surgery i have to pay a 75 dollar fee which covers a years worth of dietitian visits after surgery. A fee of 600 dollars does seem a little steep, but it will be worth it in the end.

[FireWife678 51]

My program has a $300 program fee. Half due at the first module (May 13th for me!) and the other half due when surgery is scheduled. I'm very lucky that, even though my insurance doesn't cover this, I only have a $250 co-pay for the surgery and no deductible. It'll all be worth it and I'd pay even more if it came down to it.

[upurg 27]

I was advised by the program advocate that this is not covered by insurance or part of the deductable or coinsurance. The advocate explained the Fees were for coordinating your information package to submit to the insurance company. She did say that they could not guarantee it would be approved but the program would make sure all the documented requirements are met. They basically send you to an in house dietician,NUT, cardiologist, and psychologist and they set all the appointments. I feel like it's extortion!!! They know we will pay just about anything for a better life.

Edited May 3, 2014 by upurg

[jtickle 295]

Oh yeah, I forgot I have to buy a starter kit of Vitamins and Protein Shakes from the doctor's office. It is 250 dollars. It is mandatory that I buy it from them. Buying it isn't a problem considering my out of pocket and deductible have been met. So I owe nothing for surgery.

[onajournee 20]

The program fee where i go is $750. The center i go to has extensive follow up programing with nutritionists, exercise physiologists, behaviorists, and support groups. You are scheduled for appts with these people at regular intervals thru out your first year post op and then as needed after. They find patients do so much better with this support in place and the money is pre payment for all those appointments. They used to do a pay as you go set up, but people were not as likely to make/keep their appointments, so they decided to collect up front in the hopes people will comply better. Thankfully my insurance company has something worked out with them, so my fee is included in package insurance company pays them!

[Ageekygal 38]

I don't have a fee but I do have a co-pay for my appointments with the psychologist, NP, RD and PT. which is $20 each time I visit one. The psych is 90 minute appointment and the others vary. It does include a group class monthly with one of those specialists as well. You can call them anytime or contact them online. It's quite comprehensive and they are truly supportive and helpful! The center has won all kinds of awards and I can see why. So my "fee" is about $200. This is in Portland, Oregon.

[Megan00 38]

OMG.....

Glad that I found this post. I was thinking maybe I was the only one being charge these fees. I wish they had told me about them during the seminars :-)

$250.00 Wellness Consult - To be honest I get more informative info here then I did at that class

$300.00 Opti-fast liquid diet (I was told you have to purchase it from them)

$285.00 for the 6 month classes

Then before surgery I was told by my insurance that I will have a $500.00 deductible

My advice to myself is save ....save.......save......

[nikkisue 6]

Yep, ours is like $1050. They can charge because most of us are desperate at this point and will pay. He's also the only dr within 50 miles that's in -network with my insurance.

[Ladiec2 74]

I went to see my surgeon for the first time last week and found out during that visit that my out of pocket costs will be $1300 which includes dietician fee, classes, materials, and I have to use their supplements and shakes. I have an appointment with another surgeon next week and hopefully it won't be as much.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Yes, mine was $500.

[Ladiec2 74]

Here is exactly what my Surgeon's office charge for out of pocket fees:

$250 – Wellness consult (2 Hrs.): Nutrition, Behavioral, Exercise Evaluations
$100 – Weight Loss Nutrition Class (2 Hours)
$15 -- Patient Educational Materials
$70 -- Nutritional Pre-Surgery Final Visit (30 mins.)
$35 – Nutritional Status Post Surgery Visit (15 mins.)
$110 – Diet Advancement & Exercise Re-Assessment (75 mins)

$50 – 6 month Exercise Follow Up Visit (45 mins)
$50 – 6 Month Nutrition Follow Up Visit (30 mins)
$50 – 12 Month Nutritional & Baviorial Follow Up Visit (1 hr.)
$150 – 3 Month Nutrition Program (Wellness Consult + 2 nutrition classes)

$300 – Bariatric Advantage Surgical liquid Diet Program
$86 – Sleeve Vitamin Kit

Total $1266

This is crazy!

[rhayla 53]

One program here has a fee; mine does not. I was told the fee was to cover their costs in reviewing my paperwork to see if I was eligible

Sounded sketchy to me. Obviously, I did not go with them