"Program" fee?

So I went to the Weight Loss Surgery Center of Hampton Roads seminar... and apparently there is a program fee of $750 due before pre-operative visit. It includes such things as on-line support, monthly support groups, a journal, a sample box of post-operative high protein, low fat, low sugar supplements and mug for mixing.

Is this typical? I wasn't expecting this additional expense... lol. It will set me back a few months as I gather the funds together!

Unfortunately most programs have an "ADMIN" fee associated prior to the pre-op visit.  My program cost $150, but includes nothing.  Where I have seen $400-$500 and it just include a support group access.......each program is different.  However, some of my co-workers have stated that the fees can be reimbursed from a flexible spending account.  So it might be something you look into if you have one of those.

My Surgeon had a program fee but they dropped it the month I started my program.

Mine was $400. I'm not happy about it since I think this is another way for people to not be able to have the surgery, and sometimes it's much needed! Luckily, I convinced them the only way I could pay was with payments and they went for it.

 Mine was $1000. and so far no goodies.

No fee for me.

This is the first I've ever heard of a program fee. 

My doctor holds two monthly seminars for people who want to learn more about bypass surgery.  Before going to the seminar I had to complete an extensive questionnaire and confirm that my insurance company covered gastric bypass.  The day after the seminar I called the doctor's office and scheduled my consultation appointment.  The day I completed my consultation I had my first appointment with the nutritionist to complete the first of six monthly appointments with her.  I didn't pay anything until I had my co-pays for surgery...I paid $726 for what my insurance wouldn't cover, but according to my insurance Explanation of Benefits that was for my EDG and another test the doctor wanted that the insurance wouldn't completely cover.

Brid

My program does not charge a fee, but you have to pay for the NUT and the Psych eval.  The program 60 miles away charges 1500.  This is how doctors make up for the mark down the insurance companies require.  Honestly its a way to recoup their losses for taking the insurance.  I am an insurance agent, and this is unfortunately how it works.  Most places charge a Admin, program, or whatever fee.  I refused to go to a program that did that!  :)

I found my doctor online as ths allowed me to research each program and associated physician(s).  I have heard nothing about a fee for any program in the Detroit area.  Honestly, I don't think it would work out very well considering the abundance of bariatric programs in the area.  But maybe I'm all wrong and will find out in a week when I go for my first consult. 

Same as Barb for me.  No additional fees at any point from the surgeons office - pre-op class and support groups were all free.  I did have to pay for my NUT and Psych evaluations, though, as well as any needed followups to them.

I'm sort of shocked that a program would charge that much, especially if it's not covered by insurance.