Program fees in Ohio

I am having my surgery at Summa Akron City Hospital thru their Bariatric Center of Excellence. The program fee is $1,600 not paid by insurance. Dr. Zografakis is my surgeon. My understanding tis that it covers all the up front work, their work on getting you approved,  and visits to the Bariatric Center, as well as, support groups and some aftercare. I have noticed that many of the tests like psychologial and exercise assessments go through my insurace. Also, any time I have seen the surgeon, they go through normal insurance channels. -- Tom from Akron

The program fee is $1,600 not paid by insurance. Dr. Zografakis is my surgeon


that really irked me when i first started my research, being in the akron area, i was really hoping to have a dr very close to me but upon hearing about his outrageous fee, i scraped that idea ..
that really burns my butt to see drs charge that much for a fee, and from what ive heard from some would be patients of his is that they feel the same way, thus the reason why they went other places,  i havent heard anything really negative about him but no one has that kind of money laying around ....  i know he wouldve received my business and a handful of others if he had a more reasonable fee (hint hint dr z)

This is about long term success.  It's your life.  This is not the time to go "cheap".  I'm not saying you should find the most expensive, but you should look for the most comprehensive.  What are you getting for your money?  There was another post on this forum from someone who had no clue what to eat.  Many have questions about what supplements they should be taking.  You want a program where those questions are going to be answered up front.  Just my 4 cents worth. (It used to be 2 cents, but it got bumped up because of high fuel prices)

It is really not about "going cheap".  It is about some surgeons charging very high "program fees" for services that other surgoen's offices provide for no fee at all.

I had no program fee, and my surgeon did an excellent job of providing me with  all the information I needed (and a bunch that I didn't) to make an informed decision about which surgery was right for me, what to expect physically from the surgery (recovery, etc.), what to eat (and how soon) post-op, supplement requirements and concerns, etc. So I got ALL of the information I needed, but did not have to fork over $1600 for it! 

I understand that there are significant costs associated with having the staff to do the informational seminars, collect all the necessary paperwork and work on getting the insurance approval, do the pre-op educational classes etc., and I think it is entirely reasonable for surgeons to charge SOMETHING to help cover their costs for those things, but some surgeons are simply OVERCHARGING people, knowing that some poeple who are desperate enough for the surgery will just pay it instead of looking at alternatives.  It's about money and taking advantage of people's desperation. The same thing applies to plastic surgeons that participate in an HMO or PPO yet refuse to submit a panniculectomy for insurance coverage (even if it is pre-approved as "medically necessary" and therefore covered) on the basis that "we consider it cosmetic"... it has nothing to do with cosmetic versus medically necessary... it is all about the plastic surgeons not wanting to accept the rate the HMO/PPO will pay for that procedure because they know that people who are desperate to rid themselves of that huge apron will pay the FULL FEE and then settle THEMSLEVES for what the HMP/PPO reimburses them.  It's BS.

Lora

 

and i can tell you that it has nothing to do with money, i am going to st vincents in cleveland and i paid about $900 less and they have everything that dr z has, unfortunately b/c of his location he believes he can charge that much ... hey great if people can afford it, however what about someone on a budge, or medicaid, heck, if i had that kind of money i surely wouldnt be on medicaid would i ?????

just b/c some one has paid less doesnt mean their getting a ****ty program, though i do agree with a few of you ... look for the best option for the cost

We are in complete agreement. 

"I'm not saying you should find the most expensive, but you should look for the most comprehensive.  What are you getting for your money? "

I'm paying the $1,500 at Fresh Start with Dr. Meyers in Columbus.  But, as stated in an earlier post, I get 6 visits with a nutritionist, an initial session with the psych, and 13 weeks of physical activity at a health center (McConnell Health Center) with a customized exercise program from a certified personal trainer.  Oh, and a really cool 3 ring binder!

When I was doing my research I found that some surgeons have no fees.  But you do get free stitches!  (OK, I'm kidding).  Like I said, look for the most comprehensive program you can get.

I went through the Lap Band program at Mt. Carmel.  Yes, you have the $300 program fee and $200 for the nutritionist, but that actually includes 4 nutrition classes.  You also have a monthly support group and emotional support group as well.  They have a psycholigist on staff that deals with weight loss and she is available for you to use.  She has a monthly group.  I take advantage of all these groups and classes.  The more your are active in it, the better prepared for your surgery and life after the surgery.

Good Luck on choosing someone. 

I used Riverside as well and the program fee was actually pretty worthwhile.  The post-surgery suppplements are very good and I still buy them - 8 months out.  You receive 28 boxes of Protidiet protein supplement.  The cost online would be $280.00 ($10/box).  You can get through Dr. Myers for $7.25 if you want more.  You also get your first month's vitamins, and your pre-surgery liquid diet items.  The nutritionist vists take you to 6 months post-op and they are individual visits -not classes.

I was very satisfied.