Pay for support groups?

Has anyone ever heard of paying for the WLS support groups? I am being forced by Aetna to consult with Dr Morris Washington for my lapband surgery (he is not my choice), and so I have been doing some research on him. I read some blogs from last year that said he requires all new patients to pay upfront $699.00 for support meetings and that it is NOT covered by insurance, even though he is IN-network with aetna. Anyone know about this? Eileen

Eileen

I am a post op WLS patient for almost three years and I never had to pay for support group meetings.  I know for a fact that Dr. Mehta (my surgeon) does not charge for support group meetings.   I facilitate a WLS support group every third Thursday of the Month at the Perth Amboy division of Raritan Bay Medical Center .  Check with your insurance company to see if attending this group will be ok with them rather than paying all that money.  You are very welcomed to attend this group.  We provide this support group as a community service and there is NEVER any fee for attending.    If you would like to contact me personally my e-mail address is [email protected] and my phone number is 732-324-6025.  Check with your insurance company if attending my group is ok with them.  Many insurance companies require proof of attendance pre op.  If that is your situation I will be happy to sign any documents needed to prove your attendance at the meeting.   Good luck Lauretta

Hi my OH friend, I know of two other surgeons that charge for support groups.  Odd though because we are supporting each other on our own time.  So they are Dr Jean Baptiste he calls it a "program fee" as of April he wanted $2,500 (not covered by insurance) he is in South Plainfield.  The other Dr is Heather  McMullen in Staten Island also wanted a fee for support groups and that was $150 in April.  However I believe her fee included the nutritionist fee and Dr Jean Baptiste does not. maxine

Hello Eileen:

I am a post op from Lakewood, NJ and had surgery a bit over a year ago with Dr Bertha in Morristown. His groups are all at no cost. The only extra cost was for the meeting with the Dietician, which I found one that participated with my plan (Oxford) and for the psychologist who also participated ... so out of pocket costs were minimal, other than my Oxford plan calls for a $500 co-pay for more than one night surgical stays in the hospital.

Thur OH I discovered that there were local groups that I could attend ... one in Toms River on the First Friday of the month at Community Memorial Hospital at 7pm and one in Lakewood at Kimball center for healthy living on the 3rd Monday of the month. These cost nothing and they are volunteer led support groups.

There is a professionally run support group out of Monmouth Medical Center on the 4th (or 3rd) Thursday of the month ... (6/28). This is also a no charge group. You can learn a lot at any of these groups, and have a lot of your questions answered. I dont think that you should have to pay for the support groups or be directed to a specific group.

Michael

hi eileen there are some surgeons that make you pay for 'after-care' and also for support groups -- i have dr. matt kirkland in philly and did NOT have to pay for any support groups (they are free) and we had to attend 2 support groups before surgery -- and we had a choice of where to attend these mandatory meetings -- one was at the Penn Hosp and the other at Hahnemann university hosp in philly -- i also have Aetna and did not have to have a consultation with any other surgeon -- is your choice of surgeons part of the Aetna network??  good luck to you

Hi Kathleen, I had my surgery with Dr. Brolin in Princeton.  He does not charge for his monthly support group meetings.  However, because I live in Freehold I thought I would call the Bariatric Center at Centra State (Dr. Washington) for info on support groups in my area.  They said no problem we could give you as many as you want to attend but they require a $250 fee up front.  Forget about that!  So with a little research I found 2 great groups, one in Toms River and the other in Lakewood.  I also attend the Perth Amboy group.  The leaders are terrific and so are the post and pre-op patients.  So, if you don't mind a little traveling there are many groups out there that do not charge for their services.  

Hi: I co facilitate a support group on the first sat of the month at Mulenburg Hosp in S Plainfield. As a social worker I can write the neccessary letter for you concerning Aetna. Please e-mail me and let me know if your going to make it. I will make sure I'm there that month Good Luck, Robin Were you aware Dr. Mehta charges a hefty program fee as well? $3,500!

Hi:  I am scheduled for my consult with Dr. J-B on Friday, are you all saying that he is going to charge me a fee even though he is in network with my insurance company?  thanks in advance for you input. Jackie

Just a FYI  Dr Mehta doesn't charge a program fee that is the cost for the surgery for the paitent out of pocket as he is out of network with all insurance.

Hi Eileen.  I see that lots of people have responded with info about other support group meetings, but I don't know if that's what you were really looking for?! My question to you is WHY are you being "forced" to consult with this doctor, and does that mean that Aetna is requiring you to USE this doctor for your surgery?  or is this more of a second opinion situation?

Also, I would call Aetna and ask them if they are aware that he charges this fee - any why you can't go to a surgeon that DOESN'T require it. Don't be afraid to ask your insurer questions... there are people that will be very helpful and walk you through these things.  And remember, you pay them for coverage! Hope this helps some, and good luck! Wendy