Dr. Schweitzer program fee???

Hi there. I am new to all this and was recently told there may be a program fee for the surgeon I am interested in. I called the office and haven't heard back for days. Did any of you use Schweitzer at Bayview and if so, do you know what out-of-pocket fees there are? Thanks so much. I just need to prepare for the coming expenses. 

Hi!  Welcome to the Maryland Board.  A program fee seems to be the rule rather than the exception for most surgeons now.  And the cost can vary greatly.  I think the lowest I've heard is $300. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Good luck, Tia

Hi and welcome!! I am not sure about Dr. Schwietzer's fee because he is not my doctor but like Tia said I know they do vary greatly, and I have found also that a program fee is the rule rather then the exception also. My Surgeon is Dr. Amir Moazzez and he works out of hte Center for Obesity Surgery w/ Dr Afram in DC at GW hospital. Their program fee is a whopping $1500 HOWEVER..........I never have to pay copayments for my visits and my aftercare after the surgery is free! For example if I was to ever loose insurance or switch insurance it would never prevent me from going back into follow-up. Because after I pay them the $1500 I never owe them a cent more. While that was a steep fee I liked the fact that I never could make an excuse for not following up even 5 to ten years down the road.

Thanks. I was looking around on here a little and saw fees from 300 to 6000! Holy cow--that is quite the range! I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it is affordable.  Have a good one!

I am about a month pre-op with Dr. Schweitzer. At the time I became his patient there was no program fee. However, I don't know if the office has since implemented one.  I have had or will have to pay the following: co-pay for consult fee to meet with nutritionist fee to meet with psychiatrist hospital costs in accordance with my insurance coverage Some insurance companies cover the nut & psych and I believe you can use your own instead of those through bayview or greensprings. To streamline the process I used the ones at Green Springs.  Dr. S is a highly regarded surgeon. You should be in great hands with him!

Oooh, awesome to hear, both the fee and the high regard! Best to you on your journey! How is it going? Take care!

I had surgery with Dr. S 6th months ago and there was no program fee, but I did end up paying $600 for the anesthesiologist. And I pay a co-pay for check ups. Dr. S and his staff at Bayview are wonderful. Good luck!

Hi,  I had surgery with Dr. Schweitzer and I do not recall paying a program fee.  I was a self pay patient so trust me I spent plenty but I do not believe I paid for that.  I did pay the following Surgeons fee Anesthesiologist Hospital Psych eval Nutritionist Office visits Funny though, my insurance has been paying for my follow up visits and labs.