non refundable program fees

I am the insurance administrator for my employer (the State of Maine) and checked when a member told me about being charged $600 to progress any further with Dr. Teiu's program.

Some WLS programs charge for the support group and personal trainer. That is what Dr. Teiu's office is charging for. These are not things that are covered by ANY insurance. The program at EMMC offers free support groups and free 30 day gym in their Bangor therapy office. It all depends on which program you go to whether you will incur personal expenses for non-covered services.

When I was in process for WLS  at EMMC I incurred a $200 deductible for my sleep study and a $15 co-pay w/ Dr Toder. I'm very lucky to have fantastic insurance.

The $600 program fee through The Bariatric Center helps cover the cost of the three personal trainer visits, the resistance bands he gives you and also the support groups. At the support groups there is always a dietitian or psychologist. Some of the meeting include alot of protein supplement sampling. The money goes towards all of this. I didn't like paying the $600 either, but I did because I knew what it was being used for. Unfortunately insurance will not cover support group meetings or trainer visits. I think it is worth the $600. Hopefully they will let you make payments. I don't see why they wouldn't.

I don't know anything about the Bangor facility, but I can tell you I would have paid my $500.00 plus to have the care I received from Dr. Trieu.   I do believe it is $600.00 for RNY.   The entire office is fantastic and Dr. T. is without a doubt one of the best.   I had the opportunity to have my procedure in Portland or Augusta.   After talking with the office staff and Docs in portland i was not impressed.   Please ask questions and do your own research...This is something that you need to have a full understanding of.  Have you been to your first seminar yet?   Kimberly