Program Fee

Hi Jacqueline, I no longer have insurance and it will cost me about  $150 to go in for a fill now that I am self pay.  They said I could make payments.  The NP that was working when I was there is gone so I would be dealing with a new person.  They have all my records and without insurance I can't change without the cost being out of my price range.  Right now I am trying to get it back together without gaining any more weight.  These last pounds are the hardest to loose.  First it was 30 now it's closer to 40.  I am going to try to go in the office at the first of the year.  Since they did not let me get my band checked before losing my insurance it is out of the question to check now unless I can work a deal out with the hospital. I made my bed so I am going to just stick with it.
 How are things going with you.  I know you are happy with your doctor. Please keep in touch.

Z

Very interesting conversations!  Anyone had experience with Dr. Josh Steiner at St. Joe?

I haven't dealt with him personally, but I've heard nothing but great things about him as a surgeon.

I had to pay a 500.00 program fee. I was okay with that because my followups were covered due to me using a facility in my hospital chain. Dr Weiss did my surgery. I knew up front follow ups were with a NP. I have been really pleased maybe that is because I haven't had any problems, but the NP and other staff at Hazard is really good to me.
Janice

Hazard is where my por****ured.  I know the NP was new at the time and I know the type of training she received, because her second day on the job, in Lexington was my first follow up visit. 

Of course you said in your hospital chain which means you are probably an employee of ARH, although I use to work for Harlan ARH many moons ago and have a sister that still does, there is no way i want to use an ARH facility for anything.  I might have to one day but it will be because I was too sick to go anywhere else.  I know they have some excellent employees, too, but I just prefer to not use ARH. Let me correct that I do not want to use the hospital for anything.  I do see a doctor at Tri-City ARH clinic. 

Jacqueline

In Louisville, Dr. Geller has no program fee. He personally sees every patient. I know he has taken on a lot of patients who were not happy with their original surgeons. Norton's does have a $300 fee, but that was even discounted to $150 and I don't know if that is a new price or just temporary. But that does include the cost for getting the nutrition and psych evaluation and after surgery followup.

I had my surgery with Dr. Geller in July of this year and did have to pay the full $300 program fee.

Thats your choice not to use an arh facility. There is good and bad everywhere you go.
Janice

Janice, I made the statement that there were good nurses there.  I know there is good and bad everywhere, but seems ARH has more than their share of bad and I am not speaking of nursing, lab, xray, etc.  I am speaking of the chain as a whole and their doctors.  I am just thankful that I do not work there now and my insurance is not tied to the hospital.  I am also thankful that my sister's is not tied to the chain either. 

Jacqueline

Hi, I'm new to this site, but I wanted to say that at Georgetown Bariatric Center, Dr. Tom and his staff have made a decision to waive the program fee temporarily. (Usually $400.00) I was informed of this when my 1st 'all day' appointment was scheduled. What a great thing to do! maybe this could help someone..they also accept Medicaid and Medicare too.