Running into problems with the "Checklist" for Mid Ohio Surgical Associates

I'm looking for other candidates that are going through the Mount Carmel Bariatric Surgery Program in Columbus, Ohio.  I want to see where you stand on "The Bariatric Candidate Program Checklist" and also see if you are having any problems in completing these items. I attended the informational meeting back on March 14, 2007 and a few weeks later I received my initial set of forms to complete.  I sent those in and then I received my checklist as well as a letter telling me that I would need to complete some additional items such as; psychological eval, see a nutritionists', take part in a sleep study, etc..  Well as I have been going through each of these steps, I also completed my remaining paperwork and returned it along with the $300 fee.   When I didn't hear back from anyone after 1 week, I called the office.  I explained to Charlene that I wanted Dr. Chopan to do my surgery.  Charlene told me that Dr. Chopan was currently covering for another doctor that is out on maternity leave, therefore she would need to scheduled me to see Dr. Miller for the initial visit but Dr. Chopan would still do my surgery.   I thought this sounded a bit odd because if I don't get a chance to meet Dr. Chopan until I'm in Pre-op, I don't think that either one of us is going to feel very comfortable going into surgery without getting to know one another first.   I went to my scheduled appt. on June 5 with Dr. Miller and he was very surprised to see me there.  He said that even though Dr. Chopan was covering for someone, she is still doing her own patients and her own clinics.  He then asked who sent me to him and I explained that it was Charlene.  He then told me that Charlene was HIS employee and that he would speak with her this week because she was off all last week.  He also told me that unless my sleep-study comes back positive OR my BMI goes over 40 (I'm at 39.5 right now) that I would not be eligible for Gastric Bypass surgery.   This is the first that I have heard about this.  I spoke with both of my insurance companies and they both told me that if my doctor feels that it is a medical necessity, then all they need to do is send in a letter explaining the situation.  The problem with Mt. Carmel Bariatric is that you must pay the $300 fee up front before they tell you if you are a good candidate or not and if your not, well you just basically donated $300 to the program.  This needs to be changed so that you are only required to pay this fee if in fact you are a candidate. Please let me know if there is anyone else out there going through this same Bariatric program at Mt. Carmel West in Columbus, Ohio Regards, Marie   

I can't help...but wanted to wish you luck and offer my sympathies for the hassles.  THat stinks!!  I hope it works out the right way for you.  If not, however, throw a fit over the $300 and the mess up..maybe they'll reimburse it just to get you to leave...lol!

PrincessT – Thanks for your input and good luck on your mini-goal!  Marie

 

 

Hello. I can't help much as I don't live anywhere near Columbus but I must say, making you pay $300 before saying if you even qualify for their program seems a bit odd. My doctor told me at my first consult that I qualified and I've even started some testing such as an EGD, and the clinic still hasn't required me to pay their fee yet. I don't have to pay that until I see the nutritionist and have the psych eval done. In any case, good luck to you. You may consider finding another clinic to do your surgery.

BykerGrrl – Sorry to hear about your elbow, ouch!  I hope that it is recovering

                    nicely.  Thanks for your input as well.  Good Luck to you...Marie

Hi Marie, I do not have direct experience with Mt. Carmel but the money upfront doesn't sound usual. I started my process with the Ohio State University program and was approved as a candidate before I went through items described on your checklist. Due to an insurance issue, I transferred to the progam at Riverside Methodist Hospital-FreshStart Bariatrics. My biggest worry was that I would have to start all over but once my file was reviewed and I met with my surgeon Dr. Myers, I was accepted into the program. I had my surgery at Riverside on January 31, 2007 and I am happy to say I have lost 82lbs to date. I wish you well and if you want more information on FreshStart Bariatrics at Riverside, let me know. Good Luck ~ Mary

I researched Mount caramel earlier this year - and even went to one of the informational meetings.  I thought the program sounded great, but i was turned off because of the out of pocket 300 they were asking for upfront.  Isn't there also an additional fee for the nutrtionalist they also require?   Anyway, good luck working through the process.  I hope it works out for you.

I went through their program and had nothing but success. Charlene leaves a lot to be desired but overall it was great. Dr. Choban is wonderful. You can check out my profile for more info. I did a review of their program. Good luck.

Mike