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Program Charges

The MGH Weight Center has been established to manage obesity and other weight disorders through a variety of comprehensive clinical programs. We are also working to find new and better treatment options through an intensive clinical research effort. Recognizing the important social and economic implications of weight disorders, our main focus is on the medical and psychological effects of excess weight. Our treatment programs are aimed at reversing these important complications.

Each of our clinical programs begins with a multi-disciplinary consultation by our professional team, which includes an internist or pediatrician, a registered dietitian, and a psychologist. The goal of the evaluation is to develop the most appropriate plan of care, taking into consideration your medical, nutritional, psychological, and exercise needs.

The initial evaluation visits are covered by most medical insurance plans. However, you will be responsible for any co-payments required by your insurance program and the cost of any uncovered services. You will also be responsible for obtaining an insurance referral from your primary care physician if your plan requires it. We recommend that you check with your insurance plan in advance to find out which services it covers.

Approximately three weeks after your first visit to the Center, you will meet with the Weight Center physician to discuss the results of our evaluation and your Weight Center team's recommendations for management of your weight and associated medical problems. You will be given time to consider our recommendations and discuss them with your family and your referring physicians. Once you and your Weight Center physician have discussed and agreed upon the best treatment strategy, we will make arrangements for you to participate in the appropriate program.

Our treatment programs are intensive, requiring substantial time of physicians, nutritionists, and psychologists. At the present time, medical insurance does not cover most parts of these programs. The Weight Center has made every effort to minimize your out-of-pocket expense without compromising your care. For the future, we are also working with insurance plans to improve coverage for the comprehensive treatment of weight disorders.

The total charges for each our treatment programs are listed below. If you have any questions about these charges, please contact Geoff Patton, Administrative Director of the MGH Weight Center, at 617-726-4400.

Each Weight Center Program extends for twelve weeks unless otherwise noted.

All program fees are exclusive of the charges for physician visits, which will be billed to your insurance. Prior approval may be needed depending on your insurance plan.

Medical Management Programs (Group-based)

Program Phase	Charge to Patient	Comment
Evaluation (4 visits)	Varies	Depending on your insurance coverage. Usual co-payments apply.
Initiation	650	Usual co-payments for medical visits
Continuation I	600	Usual co-payments for medical visits
Continuation II	550	Usual co-payments for medical visits
Maintenance	275	Usual co-payments for medical visits

Medical Management Programs (Individual)

Program Phase	Charge to Patient	Comment
Nutrition	650	Usual co-payments for medical visits
Psychology	650	Usual co-payments for medical visits
Comprehensive	875	Usual co-payments for medical visits

Surgical Weight Management Program

Program Phase	Charge to Patient	Comment
Comprehensive Required Surgical Program (required)	925	Payable at start of program. Does not include Maintenance Program
Evaluation*	varies	Depending on your insurance coverage. Usual co-payments apply.
Pre-Operative (6-8 weeks)	0	Included as part of the surgical evaluation.
Surgery*	Varies	Most hospital and professional charges covered by insurance plans.
Post Operative Adjustment	Pre-Paid	Patient charge of $375 payable at start of program. Usual co-payments apply.
Life Style Change*	Pre-Paid	Patient charge of $450 payable at start of Program. Usual co-payments apply.
Maintenance	275	Usual co-payments apply.

*Programs marked with an asterisk are a required part of our Comprehensive Surgical Weight Management Program. As will be discussed with you, surgery alone is not supported by the MGH Weight Center since it is much less effective than surgery combined with these comprehensive pre- and post- operative programs.

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