Additional fees....

I was just wondering if anyone had to pay additional fees prior to surgery.

I was informed in the informational session, that $350 had to be paid prior to surgery, but I thought that applied to some people that had insurance that didn't include everything. Apparently regardless of having an insurance plan that covered everything, I too have to pay this $350, and apprently 12/23!!! Thats the day I have my preoperative consult with the nutritionist and the surgeon. Its stinks that I have to spend $350 two days before Christmas, but I'll do whatever I need to do to get this surgery.....

I was told that some surgeons requested 2 or 3K before surgery so I guess I shouldn't be complaining....?

What are you paying $350 for?  Some surgeons charge a "program fee" or the like.  Unbelievable.  Your insurance covers the surgery, and that's all you need to be paying for.   I would question this "fee" and why you need to pay the money.

Well in the session they tell you that the fee is for the meeting with the nutritionist, and some post op stuff, blood work etc., which, i could have done through my actual insurance I would think. Initially, I was like "whatever, $350 is nothing", but since its so close to Christmas, I'm re-evaluating why I have to have it.....There's on Dr. that broke away from them, and he charges about $3,000. You pay in intervals before your surgery....so after hearing that $3,000 sounds like nothing, but still.....

My surgery is 6 days before yours.  Yes, I have to pay $430 at my pre-op appointment on January 8th.  My payment was for the surgery it's self.  My insurance covers 80%, so I had to pay the 20%, and my $250 deductable.  I also have to pay for protein shakes they sell there for my pre-op diet too. It sucks to have pay so close to the holidays, but like you I would do anything so that I can have the surgery done.
I am lucky though that my work has a flex plan where I can get a credit card that is medically coded, and I will have no problems paying it. I wish you luck!

You know, I just signed up for the flex spending account, however we just get reimbursed, which sucks coz I wanted the credit card! Apparently the Feds don't operate like that....it sucks still. I got it because  they covered so much of the stuff I'd need afterwards, even B12 shots!

Are you planning to give yourself the B12 shots?  Just a head up - with my insurance I was paying $10 a month for the vial if B12... a nice pharmacist pointed out to me that if I wanted to have a new script written they could fill it and give me a years supply for $12.20...

Good Luck!
I had no program fee but had to pay $150 to the Nutrionalist and $150 for a psych eval.  I could have went outside our program for the psych eval and gotten it covered by insurance, but figured it was money well spent when I did not have to do the research to find someone covered AND find someone that knew what needed to be written to get my approved, etc.

I spaced mine out over six months because I knew I had to complete the six month "diet" program with my PCP (and had to start over because my doctor quit her practice and the person taking over could not get me in fast enough...)

In my case these were my only out pocket expenses - unless you could having the TV turned on at the hospital and paying for that! :)

Good luck with your decision.  If you are questioning the fees associated, I would look around and see if there is another surgeon who does NOT charge them AND that you feel comfortable with (plus check out their track record of cours!). 

Yes I had to pay over $1,000 prior to my surgery, I really don't remember what it was for but I was willing to pay anything to have the surgery done, and believe me it was the best thousand bucks I have every spent.

I didnt have to pay a penny!!! The only time I got a bill was a month after my surgery I got a bill for 101.00 for the hospital stay. ha ha ha That was it the entire process!!! I love my surgeon his team took care of all that stuff..............Phew! Thank God!!

I paid a $1,000 program fee to my surgeon that covers my aftercare for three years.  This includes my appointments with the nutritionist, behavioral therapist, exercise consultant and all my support group meetings.  These fees are not covered by my insurance.

we had to pay $750 per person after the first consult.  we could have paid all at once or in installments.

it covers all visits with the nut the LCSW and the doctor and nurse preop and for a year postop....