Psych appointments at Duke

I hope that you won't be too discouraged. Does Duke have challenges? Yes. Is it one of the best programs in the state? Yes. Would I use them again or suggest someone I cared about use them? Absolutely...and I have! Are their other competent programs in the area? Yes, but to be honest, I run a very large support group in the area and I hear the good, bad and ugly about all of them and I would still use them. 

I suggest that you look at 2 or 3 programs before you select one. When you do select a program, consider how well rounded their program is and if they are able to support your needs; long term and short term. How do they provide nutritional and psych support? What is their follow up like? What are their statistics and how do you fit into those statistics? 

I wish you all the best as you start this incredible, life changing journey.

Terri when are you having surgery? I'm having the DS with Sudan, too (soon, I hope).

Definitely a good head's up on this stuff. It is incredibly bad form IMO for them not to let you know ahead of time.

Terri will be at lunch on the 17th!

Yes, please don't get discouraged. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Dr. Pryor is an excellent surgeon. I find myself saying things I never thought I'd say, like "I'm so excited to get on the scale!" and "I'm not eating enough!" These things make me laugh now and the weight just keeps melting off

I am surprised to hear that people are not being advised that the psych visits may or may not be covered by insurance. I know that mine were not, but when my husband had his surgery we had a different insurance and it did cover it. Either way, it was my recollection that the pre and post op visits were mandatory and not option. I went to all of them. 

One of the reasons that Duke is able to have their COE designation is that they have a fully rounded program and that includes the behavior component. While every program, including Duke, has room for improvement, they would not be able to have attained and/or maintain a COE designation without having a well rounded program that included nutritional support and psych support both pre and post op. 

While I agree that you should be advised that the insurance companies may or may not covered the required psych visits, I understand and fully support the need for them. The single biggest reason for 'failure' with WLS relates to 'behavior' issues, so having a structured program to help us recognize, identify and manage behavior issues helps up the chances of our success in the actual loss of our excess weight as well as our ability to maintain the loss in the long term. 

Okay... I guess it's time for me to stop down off my soapbox... and I am sorry to hear that they didn't notify you of the possibility/probability that the required psych visits wouldn't be covered. 

 

I g back Monday for my second and final psych appointment. BCBSNC covers it for me however and this is something I would urge everyone to look in to.

Some work places include an EAP or Employee Assistance Program that can help cover these costs without going through your insurance company. They essentially sit aside a certain allotment of money to cover certain programs/needs their employees may come across. My employer covers SIX visits to any Counselor/Psychiatrist etc. Which I think is really awesome considering that the place I am going to bills $330 a visit.

I'm sure BCBS will be happy that I didn't make them fork that out. Fingers crossed within two months maybe I'll be on the losers bench.

Good luck!

No one told me that there was any charge for the support groups.  I found out when I got a bill saying my insurance denied it.  I called and complaind and was told the opposite as you.  I was told that they've never had an issue with insurance not covering them.  *sigh*  I cancelled my next one and will not be attending anymore.  It was a waste of my time as I was the only DSer there and I got a bunch of RNY info, most of which did not pertain to me.

For my psych eval I got a form from my insurance company and submitted for reimbursement (I had to pay up front) and got half my money back.  Better than nothing.