Uncovered supportive services

I had my consult with Dr. Cirangle of lapsf last week regarding gastric bypass surgery and found out that I will have to pay $5000 out of pocket for "uncovered supportive services" that include the dietician consult, required therapist consult and a bunch of info and support that I can get off this site for free.

Are these charges normal or should I go shopping for another surgeon?

I think that is outrages.  I would shop around for another surgeon.

Good luck!!

Ditto!!! Thats the highest I've ever heard of. Check out your options.

I am with all the others. I would also call my insurance company. I went to the bariatric shrink in July and just now got a threating letter for the unpaid balance of $37.00. When I looked at the price list I had been given, the cost printed on the flier said $150 dollars. The office billed medicare $300.00 and they paid all but $263.00. This has me boiling!
BUT 5000 is outragous. So, shop around.

HUGS
JOY

I paid $60.00 twice to the nutritionist---- ( I went twice so far) and $300.00 to the pysch.  That's it..... luckily here--there is a support group sponsered by the local hospital--that anyone and everyone is welcome to ( it's free) regardless of what surgery and where you had it!  Keep looking......where do you live??? Dr. Cirangle is in the Bay Area---- check with the Bay Area folks--- and get some more referrals!!
Best wishes to you.

That does seem really high.  I did pay $300 for psyche evaluation and I think close to but under $1000. for the "extras"  It was worth it to me cause I love my doctor but at 5000 I would have no choice to look around.  Good luck to you.  Dr. Felix is in fresno if you are willing to drive alittle.  He is awesome.

Cherry,
I agree with the others. PLEASE shop around. I think Dr's are starting to take advantage of desparate people. I know all insurances are different, but that is obsene!!!! There are MANY people on this site that are from your area, so you should be able to get alot of advise and referrals. Do not feel like you have to RUN into this without checking into others.

I wish you luck.

Hugzzzzzzzzzzz,

Sweeny

If this surgeon is a "referral" from your insurance or a direct member of your insurance "choice" surgeons, I'd promptly report these $5000 in fees. They seem very unrealistic. I had Kaiser Insurance in southern CA, and I had zero $$ out of pocket expenses. Sounds like a RIP OFF to me. Research is what you need to learn in regards to wt loss surgery. This includes choosing a surgeon, learning to read labels carefully, and finding out what the post operative months are really like. I'd strongly urge you to attend some support meetings to gain a better perspective on the whole process. DAVE

Cherry,

What insurance do you have?  I have Blue Shield HMO and everything but my co-pays were picked up including my nutritionist, psych and all pre-op testing.  I had my surgery done at UCSF and that was 100% paid for as well.

Barb

When I was looking for surgeon I attended a seminar for Dr. Crangle, I was very impressed with him. But then when I called to see how much my insurance would cover, I too was told about the $5000 out of pocket cost.

I quickly went looking for a new surgeon. I was referred to Dr. Patrick Coats by a friend of mine, and was very pleased with the seminar I attended, and even more pleased when I found out that if there was any out of pocket expenses that they would be billed to me through the hospital! I ended up paying only $600 that my insurance didn't cover! And that was billed to me, so I am able to pay it when I am able to!

Best of luck to you in your journey!!