Administrative Fee?

Many reputable WLS groups do charge a fee for aftercare programs and such, never heard it was due to x-large files (geez, even are files are obese ). I wouldnt have a problem paying the fee if you fully intend to take advantage of all that the aftercare programs can offer you. My surgeon didn't charge a fee, but required a deposit prior to surgery which was reimbursed to me after he was paid by the insurance company. Keep asking those important questions when you meet with the surgeon(s) so you arent blindsided by unexpected costs. Good luck! Amy

The only thing I had to pay out of pocket was the nutritionist (225), and my co-pay (25). I did pay for my psych eval out-of-pocket (150) but that was to get it quicker, I could have gone through my insurance and paid just my $15 co-pay. As far as administrative fee's, these insurance companies work out deals to pay X amount of dollars. They sign a contract with the different surgeons. They should not have any maditory fee's other than those. There are laws governing these contracts. If they want to charge for after groups and literature, that should be voluntary. I wish you the best of luck.

Erika, I just read your post about the administrative fee. I think I know who the surgeon is, and in my opinion he is worth it. When he did my wife's surgery two years ago, he didn't charge this fee, and insurance only paid him $1,700.00. That was for his pre-op visits, the surgery and post-op followup. When I had the surgery last year, he was charging $400.00 admin. fee, I was more than willing to pay it, because I know how good of a job he did on my wife and how much he got paid. As it was I had to self pay, so I ended up paying him $5,400.00. He started charging the administrative fee, because he was getting so busy he had to hire new office staff, and insurance re-imbursement wasn't covering the additional help. Knowing what I know now, i wouldn't hesitate to pay the fee, in my opinion he's worth it. **F.Y.I.** As for some of the other comments made, My wife has worked for a doctor for 15 years in management and billing. A doctor can charge you for any services not covered by the insurance contract or the Medicaid contract. If your Insurance doesn't cover administrative charges, or paying for filling out forms,(and none of them do), they can charge you for all these things. She actually had to explain this to a Medicaid customer service rep, who went to his supervisor, and the supervisor told him that my wife was correct.

Thanks Steve!!! I've found that this is pretty much the norm with most surgeons... Erika C