Premier Surgical in Knoxville

Hello friends!

Could someone share some information about Premier Surgical here in Knoxville. I attended their seminar last night and felt so excited until I heard about their program fee. $3,000. Isn't that a bit pricey? can I make payments on that after I have my surgery and also, the $300 for the consult visit, is that the norm also? I have insurance and all that (BCBS of IL) so it covers the surgery and all, but the $3000 for the program fee kinda deters me a little. My credit isn't the best and doubt I could get a loan. any suggestions?? Thanks!!

I tried to work with them before I ended up going to Johnson City. At the time I talked with them, the program fee was only $500, but I have TennCare so that may account for the difference. I was never able to change my TennCare to the one they accept so I chose a different doctor. Johnson City is a long drive but it is a center of excellence and my cost above my insurance is nothing. Only my gas to get there for everything. There are always alternatives if you don't want to pay the extra expense. I wish you luck in working something out.
Karen

Send me what info you can!! LOL Does the center in JC perform RNY? or only Lap Band. I keep getting mixed information. Thanks so much!!

I would be happy to answer any questions you have. My surgeon is Dr. Michael Hodge. His partner is Dr. Scot****son. They both do both RNY and Lapband. They are also both general surgeons too so they can also do gallbladders and other things. Their group is called Surgical Group of Johnson City. You can google it and they have a webpage with their info on it. My insurance required me to do a 6 month supervised diet. My pcp took care of that. The office manager and insurance lady is Judy, who has helped me along with each step. She and the nutritionist and the surgery coordinator at the Medical Center are all very accessible all the time. They hold monthly support group meetings at Johnson City Medical Center. There are two identical meetings once a month so that you can choose either a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon to attend. I have email access to Judy, the nutritionist and also Pat, the surgery coordinator. They are very prompt about getting back to you when you have a question. There is also a yahoo email support group for their practice. The only problem I have had with them was with one of their Psych evaluation people. I will be happy to give you his name in PM so you can avoid him. I ended up getting a letter of recommendation from my own psychiatrist and that worked out fine. No other problems. I have had a good experience there. Dr. Hodge is very nice, very business-like and makes sure you understand exactly what you are getting yourself into as far as postop life. I feel very good about them and don't mind at all to recommend them.  Please let me know if you have any questions.
Blessings,
Karen

Dr Boyce and Williams feel strongly about their program, hence the fee.  I do't know if they will work with you on payments or not-call and ask.  They are the most popular surgeons in Knoxville by far.  There is also a surgeon, Dr Greg Mancini at UT who has started a bariatric surgery practice over there.

I used Dr. Colquitt in Maryville.  He was an awesome surgeon.  His program fee at the time of my surgery was 500.00 and The Knoxville Dr. was 3000.00.  Boyce's office said my insurance would pay half the program fee but that left me with 1000.00 more than Dr. Colquitt.  I went to Dr. Colquitt's seminar and that made my decision.  He is a very competent man.  Please give him a call and go to his seminar.  He holds them in Knoxville once a month off Merchants road.  You wont be sorry!!  He does surgery at Blount Memorial Hospital.

I am new to this site. I started my WLS journey in November last year. I went to Dr. Boyce's seminar and have had my first consult with him. I did not have to pay the $300 consult fee up front. They billed my insurance and I only had to pay the $20 copay. I also have had my phych eval. It was done in their office also. They also billed the ins. for this and I only had copay's.

The $3000 program fee is to much for me. I don't know if I understand it right or not, but I think they want it paid in full before they will do surgery.

I have decided to find a new doctor. I am going to Dr. John Husted in Somerset, KY. He doesn't charge a program fee. He consult is $250 and I think they bill your insurance. I don't think you have to pay that one up front.

I am having the DS, but he also does RNY and Lap Band, along with some other procedures. You may want to look at him, as he has done thousands of surgeries.

Good luck in what ever doctor you chose.

Maddy

I had lap RNY with Dr. Boyce on 9-2-08 and let me tell you, they are great! I email my nutritionist and exercise person almost every day and they are always there when I need them. I'v never had a single problem or issue that hasn't been immediately resolved. Dr. Boyce truly cares about his patients' well being. You do have to pay the $3K before they will schedule your surgery (or arrange financing throughout options such as Capital One which they help you with). I was approved the within 2 days of my first letter to Cigna and have never looked back. I've lost 90 lbs post op as of this morning and it was worth every penny. I considered going elsewhere, too, but Dr. Boyce is highly reputable and my family dr. personally recommended him as she had worked with him before he started doing bariatrics. Good luck and I'm here if you need me!

I have heard great things about Dr. Boyce's program in Knoxville.  I also checked into Dr. Colquitt and Dr. Ray in Maryville.  As someone on here mentioned, they have seminars in Knoxville now as well.  I ended up having my RNY with Dr. Ray and could not possibly be happier!!  Dr. Ray is an amazing surgeon and I feel lucky to have had him do my surgery.  The follow up care that I have received from their office has been great.  I have never had a problem getting hold of the nutritionist or nurse if I have needed them.  Best wishes on your journey to surgery.

AWESOME!!! A WV gal! I am originally from WV myself; the southern part to be more exact. I have an appt. on 2-12 for a consult with dr. colquitt but the more i think about, the more i am beginning to lean towards dr. ray. i love that he prays with his patients! How long ago did you have your surgery? How have things been for you?