UK St. Claire

About UK St. Claire

What is UK St. Claire?

UK St. Claire is a hospital and clinic system in Morehead, Kentucky. Its Weight Loss Center offers two tracks. The medical track is nonsurgical and includes prescription weight loss medications. In its own words: "Prescription weight loss medications, when medically necessary." The surgical track includes gastric sleeve surgery. The clinic does not name the medications it uses.

James E. Lynch, MD, is a general surgeon and the metabolic and bariatric surgery director. Megan E. Burke, APRN, is the main contact for the nonsurgical program. Jennifer S. McCord, APRN, is also listed under bariatric and weight loss care. The surgical program is accredited under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), run by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The medical track is for adults 18 and older with a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 or more with an obesity-related condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The first step is an evaluation that includes a physical exam, lab work, and a body composition evaluation.

What does it cost?

The clinic does not publish prices for its weight loss services, and it gives no consultation fee. It says: "Your insurance will be billed for medical or surgical weight loss services." It does not say whether there is a cash rate for patients without coverage, whether financing or an HSA can be used, or whether medication is included in any charge. The hospital system has a Price Transparency link in its footer, which is worth checking for listed charges, but none of the weight loss services has a figure beside it.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask who will write your prescription and whether you will see Dr. Lynch or one of the APRNs. Ask which weight loss medications are used, and whether they are brand-name or compounded. Ask whether medication is included in any monthly fee or billed separately, and what the cash price is if your insurance does not cover it. Ask what the evaluation, lab work, follow-up visits, and body composition evaluation cost. Ask whether follow-ups can be done by telehealth, which the clinic does not address, and how you cancel if you change your mind. You can call the Weight Loss Center at 606-780-5534 to ask these questions before you book.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want a hospital-based program, expect insurance to play a part in the bill, and are willing to confirm costs by phone before you book. If you need a published cash price list before you call, this clinic does not publish one.

Sources: st-claire.org, st-claire.org/services/weight-loss-center, st-claire.org/services/weight-loss-center/medical-weight-loss

Services Offered