Uncovered supportive services

It also includes 2 years of after-care including unlimited access to the dietician and the shrink. For example, some people have a regular appointment with the psychologist every month. If you were paying a shrink out of pocket for that, it would cost you at least $5000, maybe more.

It's up to you if you think it's worth it or not. I was self-pay so it wasn't an issue. The self-pay price was very reasonable, right in line with what others in the area are charging for less services (and not always as good results), so it wasn't an issue for me.

ETA Forgot to answer the original question: Are these charges normal? Yes and no. Some surgeons charge them and some do not. The amount varies. They are allowed by the contracts the surgeons have with the insurance company because they are not for the surgery itself.

RIP OFF!!

And illegal if you have insurance -- report it to the DMHC.

Hi there:
I'm not sure it makes sense but he isn't totally wrong.

I had to have a lot of prep tests:

Nutritional Consult, psychological consult, PCP physical, EKG, treadmill cardio stress echo, several blood panels, lung x-ray.

These tests were required for insurance approval and for my surgeon's requirements to make sure I was sufficiently healthy for surgery, but they were also paid for by insurance.  If they were out of pocket it would have been a lot of money.

I know Dr. Cirangle is a VERY reputable surgeon.  Perhaps their office can explain why these can't be billed to insurance.

"Perhaps their office can explain why these can't be billed to insurance."

The pre-op tests (other than the nut consult and psych consult) are not done through LapSF so they wouldn't be billed through LapSF and they are not part of what this fee covers.

This fee is primarily for after-care, which is not something insurance is going to cover at least not to the extent that you may need it.

When I first heard about a surgeon (not LapSF) charging a program fee, I thought it was outrageous too. But then I found out that lots of them do it and why they do it. Some of them charge the fees and don't provide very much for it, but the LapSF staff is pretty extensive and they have the best after-care program I've seen.

Aftercare - That makes even more sense.  I looked into this surgical group also, since I live in the SF area.  They had a great program.  My surgeon worked at LapSF for many years before starting his own practice.  He gives patients an option of 1 year followups for $1000 (rolled into his 6K surgery fee), or an additional $1500 makes it 5 years of followups included.  But this doesn't include fills, just office visits.  Fills are an additional fee.  So if I added it up it might come close to $5K over time. wonder how long Dr. Cirangle's aftercare will give you?  At any rate, this surgical group is awesome from what I can tell.

I don't know how much the program fee covers, but my self-pay fees cover 2 years of after-care. They'd include fills, if I had a band. Dr. C. wants to see his band patients every month, too, so they get *lots* of after-care.

I agree the group is awesome. We are actually very lucky in the Bay Area. There are quite a few top-notch surgeons/programs to select from -- LapSF, Feng, Rabkin, Coates to name a few -- so every one can pick the one that works for them. Even the DSers get a lot of choice, unlike in some parts of the country where you have to travel to even get a DS.

I had to pay my surgeon $3000 aside from what the insurance paid.  It was worth ten times thaat amount.  Good luck in your journey.

they tried to pull this scam on me when I started. They asked for 5500 and I aksed why when I have insurance adn they take my inusrance. I looked around adn they were the ONLY ones charging anything close to that.

shop around that a crazy ridiculous price Clearly they are getting from someone because they keep charging it.

Hi CherryAmp,

I too have "supportive services" that aren't covered by the insurance.  I too thought - this is a rip off.  They saw a sucker.... is what I thought.  But after really looking into the services... I felt this was actually worth it for me.  These are all aftercare services.  Therphy 1 x a week, different types of seminars - such as the one I can't wait to attend post RNY - it's titled - "Sex after WLS".   Apparently it's a 1.5 hour interactive seminar that teaches you how to be sexy not trashy as most women whom lose wieght forget - it's not just about how you look now post WLS - how you dress, your possiable loss of having the ability to be sexy and sensual.  For me this is important... I hate "sex" now... not the actual deed but the whole prep and the total fear of having to be naked with rolls etc in the way of everything.  In addtion, my services cover - 1x a week visits for the first 6 months post op with the nutristionist.  And 1x a week my surgeon hosts a weekly post-op meeting with all of his patients within the 1st 6 months post.  I feel this is valuable to be able to speak to others who have had this procedure - to help me validate my decision to have this procedure.  I need all of the help I can get - both pre-op and post.  I'm not sure what type of services are covered with your 5K... you should really look into it.  I'm sure it's comprehensive alike my services.

Hope you make the right decision based on the surgeon's ability and track record vs the out of pocket cost.  Consider this... you probably spend that amount on food in a matter of months... I compared it... I'm spending just about that in a little less than 2 months on FOOD.  FOOD - I can't belive I just wrote this.  Again, think about it long and hard.

Best to you and everyone else on this WLS journey!!

-To Be Me Again

PS... I forgot to add - I have PPO insurance.  Not sure if the others have HMO where most stuff is covered in full.

I can recommend Dr. Barry Sanchez in Burlingame. I paid a total of $120 out of pocket for the entire process, but of course it all depends on your insurance.