Question:
Surgeon charges $2600 for Nutrionalj Counseling
Surgeon charges $2600 for Nutritional Counseling. Wants to be paid for it up front. Have you had such charges? Did insurance pay for any of it? Is this unreasonable? The counseling consists of biweekly support groups. — [Anonymous] (posted on February 8, 2001)
February 8, 2001
That seems very unreasonable. My surgeon is part of a team that is located
in a hospital. There is a nutrionist, a psychologist and an RN on the team
as well as 2 surgeons. We can call up for help anytime we want and are not
charged for this service. The hospital is doing about 12 surgeries a week
so they are making enough money to fund this program but I really think
it's a well rounded, supportive program. The nutritionist spoke to us for
about 1.5 hours prior to surgery and is available by phone for us whenever
we have additional questions while transitioning from liquids, to purees to
solids; But I can't imagine charging $2600 for this. It sounds fishy to me.
Also, our hospital has 2 support group meetings a month which are wonderful
for pre and post op patients. I'd question this, or at least see if
insurance can pay it. Good luck to you.
— laceybaby
February 8, 2001
That seems very, very, high!! I had to go to 4 nutritional meetings
lasting 2 hours long. My cost was $70. Our support group meetings are $10
per week. It is on a pay as you go basis. I would definitely double
check.
— Trina L.
February 8, 2001
My insurance won't pay for dieticians, and that's who my surgeon expects us
to see. So, I went once before surgery and the dietician gave me a copy of
the postop diet and "read" it to me (by way of explanation) and I
chose not to return. I don't need someone to simply "read" to
me, as I am a very good reader. I fully comprehend what I've read, and if
I need to, I can go back and read it again. Isn't that fascinating? My
surgeon agreed and said that was "ok" with him, but his nurse
chewed me out one time and the next time treated me with a bit of disgust
regarding my decision. Of course, she is skinny and never has had a weight
problem, apparently, so I don't regard highly her opinions. I would think
that you wouldn't be REQUIRED to attend these expensive meetings.
— Cindy H.
February 8, 2001
Get another surgeon! My surgeon has the complete program included in his
fee and gives out his pager number and e-mail address if you need him for
any reason, including "now what do I eat". Most support groups
are free, or maybe a small fee to cover room rental, printing, etc. That
fee is outrageous.
— robyn S.
February 8, 2001
In my search for a surgeon and reviewing this site on a regular basis, I
have discovered one surgeon in California who requires a $3,000 fee up
front. His web site says: "We request a Program Fee of $3,000 from
every patient scheduled for any surgical weight reduction procedure. This
program fee is due two weeks, 10 business days, prior to your scheduled
surgery date. We accept money order, cashier's check, or credit card.
Non-payment of fee will result in rescheduling of your surgery date. This
fee will cover costs that are non-covered by insurance such as
pre-operative and post-operative support groups, publications, and on-going
database monitoring." These "tacked on" fees can only help
a few of his patients since many live hundreds of miles away. I'm going to
use someone else because I believe this is quite unethical.
— [Anonymous]
May 29, 2001
WOW! I never heard of those "extra" fees. My surgery is in July
and I had to pay $200 for the pre-op nutritional appt and that covers a
whole year of follow ups, including e-mail access. :-)
I paid another $200 for the psych consult and all my surgeon costs and
other fees are covered by my insurance.
— Lisa L.
May 29, 2001
That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of, and the first time
I have ever heard of such. Please find another qualified surgeon. The
programs normally include a 2 yr follow up, appointments are scheduled
usually 2 week, 4 week, 8 week, etc to 6 months post op, then every 3
months till you get to a yr or so., support groups once or twice a month,
and this is all part of the package. My post op appointments always
included a talk with the nutritionist as well as the counselor for anything
other problems I might be experiencing. AND, for the inbetween appointment
times, they were only a phone call away, always willing to answer any
questions (also part of the pkg). Please reconsider who you are using,
before they take you to the cleaners.
— Lisa A.
October 6, 2003
I am having surgery here in California and my Dr charges $4,000 for weight
loss counseling and follow up (not sure what the actual term was that they
quoted)as he says the insurance companies do not reimburse enough to keep
these Dr. performing these operations. I have checked with all the surgeons
here and they do not take blue cross ppo any longer as most are saying they
do not pay enough to make it worth their while. Some dr.'s here in
Sacramento even say you should take out a loan for the surgery because
after all you would for a car or a house and what is more important than
your health so he feels this is a priority over a car or house that is his
reasoning. I am traveling to Auburn CA from Galt to have mine done.
— Melinda W.
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