Money Questions

I have Medicare and a secondary insurance that will pick up the deductible and co-pay on WLS. I was surprised when asked to contribute a $1000 Administration Charge by one surgeon. I had been the patient of another surgeon who had no such charge. Is this the norm? If you have Medicare and have a surgeon who has no additional charge, please let me know. It was embarrassing to be hit with this when I don't have the means to pay it. Also, does anyone know how long the wait is with Emory Bariatrics? I've been told that they have a one year waiting list, but I didn't understand if it was for the seminar or the surgery, itself. Thanks in advance for any info. Barb in S. GA