Program Fee

I received a call from my physicians office to set up my pre-op consult. I was told I would need to have my program fee when I see the physician. I was aware of that,  but was not aware that this is something not covered by my insurance. Anyone have any information? I think this may delay my appointment because with the holidays coming there isn't an extra $500.00 right now.

I am sorry you didn't realize about a program fee Synthia..insurance never covers and most programs require you to pay upfront before surgery. 
Georgetown hosp. and Dr. Sonnanstine is the only program I am aware of that does not charge a fee...

My sister in law paid a program fee when she had surgery at Georgetown.  I think you may want to check your information again. 

Hey there, I am glad I checked my email before I shut down and saw this.....actually I did double check the information when I saw your private msg earlier..so I text Dr. Sonnanstine to recheck before I posted......  I had dinner with Dr. Sonnanstine this evening..he was in town teaching at Ethicon for the day... His practice has never had a program and fee.  And I quote "and it never will"...actually Georgetown is dropping it's program fee as of 1/1/10.....there will be NO program fee associated with him at all....that also goes for post-ops looking for follow-up care. 

I had surgery there in July & was never charged a program fee.  I'm fairly certain the program fee is associated with Drs. Weiss & Oldham, not Dr. Sonnanstine.

do you know if that 500 fee is coverable on a flexible spending plan? In addition to my husband's  bcbs  I waive insurance and have a state Humana flexible spending account.  I was counting on that to cover that $500?

I also have the flexible spending account, so I am going to email them to see if they accept that.  I will let you know what I find out. If so maybe I can go right after the first of the year since I have already wiped mine out for this calendar year.

I wonder what the $500 is really for?  I too am going to have to pay for it-i have extra flex spending money but since they call it a program fee i don't think humana will pay for it?  Have you had very good luck getting anyone at the surgeon's office to talk to you.  The insurance coordinator seems difficult to reach for me.  can't get a call returned

I have been corresponding with them via e-mail. The insurance lady e-mailed me back today and she says the program fee can be paid with our flexible spending account. Dealing with them has been OK so far, but i must say I have been a little concerned that we will not see the physician after the surgery unless we have a complication. I spoke with my primary care physician and he says this is pretty much how things are done in the bariatric community. He has nothing but good things to say about this group.

Not seeing a surgeon after surgery unless you have a complication is NOT "pretty much how thing are done in the bariatric community". It IS how things are done with Weiss/Oldham. Surgery mill, through and through. Both Dr. Husted and Dr. Sonnanstine ALWAYS see their patients for each appointment after surgery. I'm sure there are many other surgeons that do as well.

Weiss/Oldham are greedy and need their time to lure in more unsuspecting surgery candidates at their satellite locations throughout the state. You'll be lucky to see one of them BEFORE surgery.

Just my .02.