consult fees????

anyone know of a good PS surgeon that has no or little consult fee... I just called one dr. who charges 125 to hold an appointment and IF I go with him it will be applied... but I never got charged anything for a wls consult... I am not even sure he deals with massive weightloss patients.. (I have lost 150 lbs and have maintained for a year. ) This is very discouraging to find out.. any advice on good surgeons who do surgery in boston would be greatly appreciated...

I had 4 consultations with PS and they all charged between $75-$125 for a consultation fee.  Two of the surgeons went through my insurance and only charged me my co-payment of $5.  I was very shocked that they charged a consultation fee but it seems to be the norm in the Boston area.  You can ask questions over the phone about the surgeon's experience with massive weightloss patients.  I went with Dr. Borud in Boston at the BI.  He does charge $100  consultation fee then applies it to yout procedure if you go with him.  His practice is made up of about 80% of massive weightloss patients.  Good Luck.

Most of the plastic surgeons charge consult fees because they are a cash business. Even with WLS patients alot of insurances won't pay for the plastics to make as "normal".  Also alot of doctors today don't want to deal with the nonsense from insurance companies and don't accept any insurances at all and require cash payment at all visits and its up to the patient to fill out claim forms and seek reimbursement from their insurance companies. You heard the debate in congress about the doctor's medicare fees and alot of medicare recipients were going to be faced with losing doctors because the government wouldn't pay the doctors to see this group of patients. Unfortunatley having insurance whether it is througth entitlement programs or private  insurance is not a guarantee of health care availability.

Maybe do more research to see if the surgeon has handled major WLS patients and then make the appointment and see what the financials would be.


Good Luck