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Affordable Weight Loss

Investment in a Healthier, Happier Child

Wellspring has helped change the bodies and lives of thousands of children, teens, and young adults with two leading programs:

1. Wellspring Camps.  With 11 summer and fitness and weight loss programs, including Wellspring Wisconsin.
   
   
2. Wellspring Academies.  Year-round, long-term enrollment for weight loss while continuing education.  Learn more about the Academies here.

There are several reasons why Wellspring Wisconsin is an affordable investment in your child’s health and future.

Low Potential Monthly Cost*
	4-week session	4-months w/ fee
Tuition	$6,490	$26,000
Insurance Reimbursement	$1,500	$5,500
Monthly Cost w/ Loan	$110	$271
* Potential reimbursement differs depending on family insurance, but many families are reimbursed 1/4 of the price of tuition by insurance. Contact your own insurance to determine the amount you will be reimbursed.

Please note: For Wellspring Wisconsin, there is a 5.5% sales tax for 4 week session only. The state of Wisconsin requires this for any camp that is less than 30 days. WWI 4 week session is 28 days.

1. Health Insurance Coverage

Wellspring Wisconsin is the only summer weight loss program in the Midwest eligible for health insurance reimbursement.

This is due to the fact that the clinical component of Wellspring includes a psychological assessment and four cognitive-behavioral counseling sessions per week. Specifically, students participate in two individual and two group CBT sessions per week.

These services represent a portion of the total cost of tuition, and may be reimbursed by health insurance, depending upon provider, plan, and benefits.

Typically, families with PPO plans are more likely to receive reimbursement for a portion of the clinical component of the program (as much as $2,000 for a 4-week session, and $1,500 for a second 4-week session). In view of the fact that there are thousands of insurance policies with complex reimbursement procedures, we cannot guarantee that your policy will cover these costs.

Families with HMOs should generally not expect to receive reimbursement, though we encourage families to advocate for their children's health whenever possible.

There are three main questions you should consider when calling your insurance providers:

1) Do you have out-of-network medical and/or mental health benefits?
2) Is there an additional deductible with either?
3) Is pre-authorization and/or pre-certification required, and if so, what is required?

2. Private Loans

Wellspring is approved for several private loan programs that spread the cost of camp over months, or even years. These loans can cover the entire camp tuition + fees, including transportation to and from camp, and feature very low interest rates and deferral of payments for up to 6 months. Private loans also have no prepayment penalties or cancellation fees.

Families who take advantage of the private loan program find that the cost of 4 weeks at Wellspring can be as little as $55 per month.

Because the loan qualification and application process can be confusing, and because Wellspring families can choose from among several lenders, we recommend that all Wellspring families work with our partner organization, Clark Custom Loans. Clark Custom Loans guides all Wellspring families through the loan qualification and application process and helps families choose the best loan for them. Clark Custom Loans typically can complete this process within 48 hours.

If you are interested in a private loan to pay for the cost of tuition at Wellspring, please click here.

3. Tax Deduction

On April 2, 2002, the IRS announced a new policy (IRS Ruling 202-19) stating that "Obesity is medically accepted to be a disease in its own right." For taxpayers, this means that treatment specifically for obesity can now be claimed as a medical deduction following a referral from a physician.

For more information, please visit: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html

Refundable Wellspring Fees

Family Workshop: $300 or £200. This fee is refunded in full if family attends Family Workshop Weekend. Not required for Family Camp.

Year-Round After-Care Program: $600 or £360. This fee is refunded after 90 days if the Wellspring camper logs at least 3 food items in the online self-monitoring journal at least 70 of the 90 days following camp.  Click here for more details on Continuing Care. The program continues until June 1, 2011.

Note: Because research has demonstrated the importance of participation in the Family Workshop and compliance with the Continuing Care Program for continued weight loss after returning home, Wellspring will refund the full cost of both to families who support their child in these ways.

4. Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you should be able to use this account – and these pre-tax dollars – to pay for most of the cost of Wellspring (i.e., the entire cost, less the cost of food and lodging).  Because each Wellspring program has slightly different food and lodging expenses, please contact Wellspring to receive an invoice that breaks out lodging and food from total tuition and fees.