Barix Clinics is not a free seminar!!!

i RECENTLY ATTENDED A "FREE NO OBLIGATION SEMINAR" AT BARIX CLINIC IN MICHIGAN.  I JUST RECEIVED A BILL FOR $314.00  THEY SAID ITS BECAUSE I MET WITH THE DOCTOR......THIS IS A JOKE HE SPENT 5 MINUTES WITH ME....AND ALL THEY DID WAS WEIGH ME AND TAK MY BP.

Barix Clinics wants to help you make an informed decision about weight-loss surgery. We offer free, no-obligation seminars where members of our medical team provide important information about bariatric surgery and our comprehensive program. THAT IS STRAIGHT FROM THEIR WEB SITE....... SO i GUESS IF YOU GO THERE YOU BETTER NOT TALK TO ANYONE....... www.barixclinics.com

You are pretty close to Toledo. Maybe look into seeing Dr. White? His contact information is on my profile. No charges for seminars or support groups or anything extra. Very supporting staff. I had went to the Barix clinic as well and was charged several years ago. No charge with Dr. White and his staff is absolutely wonderful! Just a thought :) ~ Terisa

It just ****** me off.....I was never told anything....I am looking into lap band, Does Dr. White do that?

That just doesn't sound right.   Dr. Lane in BG does do the lapband and I would recommend him highly.  I never had to pay anything for the couple of meetings I went to.   Good Luck. Melissa

No, he does RNY. I have heard great things about Dr. Lane as well so if you are interested in the lapband that is another place for you to go.

I can see why you are mad and I would be too.  I didn't realize that either when I went.  I found out that the seminar is free, but if you meet with the doctore, then that is a "consultation".  Since he is in my "netowrk", I had to pay a co-pay of $25.00.    You should check to see if your insurance will cover it and have Barix sumit it to your insurance.  Even if they are out of your network, your insurance should pay for part of it.

BTW, I had my surgery there almost 6 months ago.  I really like it there since all they do is either lap band or gastric bypass.  Well now they do reconstructive surgeries too.

I really liked Barix and didn't have to jump through hoops like I Mt Carmel or RIverside programs require.  If you have any questions about Barix, just PM me.   Which doc did you see?  Custer or Ramos.  I see Dr. Ramos now since my surgeon left the practice.

If Barix did not disclose that there was a charge for seeing the doctor at any time during the seminar or prior to your seeing the doctor, I would refuse to pay this on the grounds that it's false advertising.  I would suggest contacting the consumer protection area in your state's Attorney General office, as they as generally charged with policing this type of fraudulent contact.  You can sometimes submit a complaint online, but you may want to write a letter and mail a copy to the Barix Clinics as well. 

Good luck on your continuing journey -

Kellie

Well good news Cindy for Dr. Schram's office called and said not to worry about the bill that it would be taken care of......Sad this was I called many times and I believe this post worked thank you for your support.

I had originally planned to attend an evening seminar and then was asked if I would be able to attend an earlier one (like at 9 am) so I said OK. Apparently theire is a difference. This 9am deal was considered a consultation and you were basically getting entered into the application process. I only had a specialist insurance copay and happened to look at the insurance copy I later rec'd in the mail and it was like $400 + ... I didn't really care since I am insured but I could see where someone who is paying the whole thing themselves that this would be a real shock! and extremely upsetting. It should be made TOTALLY CLEAR when you sign up for the seminar if any cost whatsoever may be involved. I was told to bring my insurance card ... but nothing was said about any cost.

I would contact them about it. It may also be in the fine print on the application. I was asked to print it out, fill it out and bring it with me.