Is it normal to pay outside of your copay

I just started going to seminars and talking to doctors. Most doctors in this area require "program" fees ranging from $200 to $500. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that what insurance is for? I have friends and family who've had gastric bypass and none of them had to pay any out of pocket non copay "program" fees. Is this the normal procedure for lap-band or are there just a lot of crook doctors in my area?

Hello Nia, Welcome to the MD board!!! My insurance covered the surgery at 100% I only paid a few co-pays. But the program fee is totally separate from what the insurance covers. The program fee includes counseling, nutrionist visits, support meetings and a few other things. My program fee at GBMC was $300 klast year as of the first of the year it went up to $500 I see the counselor every two weeks and it helps me a lot with coping after surgery. What doctor are you planning to use? Just find out what is included with the fee and for how long will you get these unlimited services. Good luck on your journey. Cira 6 weeks post op

Many doctor's offices are now charging what they call some type of administrative fee. This is to cover the expenses related to office work. It is becoming more and more common. I thought it was strange the first time I encountered this fee. No- your docotr isn't a crook. They are doing business.

Hi Nia, My doctor had a much higher program fee, but as Cira explained, that covered the non-insurance follow up ... nutritional counseling, support group, etc. I had RNY not lap band so I am not familiar with any additional fees a lap band surgeon might impose. Best wishes on your WLS journey. Hugs, Mo

Hi Nia The first doctor I encountered had a program fee and I thought the same you did. If I am rying to get my insurance to cover wht this fee? His office asistant said it had something to do with malpractice insurance not anything others posted on here about after support and counsling. I thought it was kinda weird but I didnt like the surgeon anyways so I knew the minute he walked in the door I was not going to have him as my surgeon. Then I saw Dr Magnuson at Johns Hopkins Bayview (he only does Open RNY but the other surgeon there does lap-band (Dr Sweitzer) and I did not have to pay a program fee. I had my surgery last July so I am not sure if they have changed it but you should call around and meet with other surgeons if you are concerened. But if you like the doctor then it might be just worth it to pay the fee. You have to feel comfortable with your doctor and not worry about the little things. Wish you the best of luck

Nia, my doctor has no program fee and I think the whole concept is whoeey! A friend of mine saw a doc on the eastern shore who wanted $2500 for a program fee and it included some kind of gym membership. Her doc said that the out of pocket money insured him that his patients would comply. Bologna I say! I'm not sure where you are, but Dr. Schweitzer at Bayview does not have these kind of fees.

Welcome to the Maryland Board. I just had surgery on April 3rd with Dr Schweitzer at Johns Hopkins Bayview and there were no program fees. I went to two other consults before choosing Dr Schweitzer and I know Dr Roe charges a program fee or at least then he did. Good luck with your journey. Dr Schweitzer is a very good doctor and I can not say enough good things about him, but I also think very highly of Dr Alex Gandsas at Sinai Hospital. Just remember that this is major abdominal surgery so choose wisely. Carol

I had Dr Schweitzer too and no fee but I will add that I will get no visits with the Nutritionist post op because my insurance won't cover them and they are SO expensive!!

Thanks all! I've went to a couple of doctors so far. The latest one was Dr. Rickford. He seemed nice enough but I just don't trust any doctor that makes you pay outside of your copay. Especially for bs like filing insurance claims and going over my phsyical notes. That's what doctors are supposed to do! I'm in PG County and I was looking at doctors close to me but I guess I'll have to go to Baltimore. Thanks again.