Duke Diet & Fitness Center Policies

Reservation Policies

We work with each client to try to meet your scheduling needs. We have standard procedures regarding reserving and canceling reservations. These policies are designed to ensure that we can properly serve each client who attends our program.

We can accept a limited number of reservations each week, so we need to know your plans as soon as possible. If you cannot come, this allows us to offer the space to another client.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy: New Clients

A $500 deposit is required by check, money order, or credit card at the time you make your reservation. You may cancel your reservation at any time prior to your expected date of arrival.

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST).

If you cancel your reservation prior to two weeks before your scheduled arrival, you will receive a $400 refund. If you cancel your reservation 14 days or less prior to your scheduled arrival, you will receive a $250 refund.

If you cannot come on the original date scheduled, but you are able to reschedule an arrival date within six months of the original reservation, we will keep your deposit and apply it to your new arrival date.

If you do not cancel your reservation within 14 days of your scheduled arrival or do not come on your scheduled arrival date, we will keep the entire deposit. If you call at a later date to reschedule your reservation, a full deposit will be required.

Because we accept a limited number of reservations each week, we ask your assistance in informing us of cancellations as early as possible. This will allow us to offer your space to someone else.

Insurance Policy

Obesity treatment -- especially residential treatment -- is outside the scope of what most insurance providers consider traditional levels of medical services and is usually not covered by insurance.

The Duke Diet & Fitness Center does not participate in any insurance agreements or managed care contracts and therefore does not file insurance claims.

However, the Duke Diet & Fitness Center can provide an itemized statement, which may be utilized to seek reimbursement from insurance carriers (except Medicare), Medical Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Reimbursement Accounts.

In cases when Medicare does apply, only a small portion of the program will be billable to Medicare. The balance must be paid-in-full at the time of your visit.

Payment-in-full is expected for all non-Medicare persons, at the time of your visit.

Weight-loss programs may also be tax deductible when prescribed by your physician to treat obesity. Consult with your tax advisor to determine if the fees are tax deductible.

Exercise Tolerance Testing Policy

Exercise tolerance testing may be helpful to identify individuals at increased risk for adverse events during exercise. Download the information below to learn if you will be required to have an exercise tolerance test.

Exercise Tolerance Testing Policy (PDF, 119 KB)

Obtaining the test at home and bringing the report will minimize delays in beginning exercise at the DFC. Such testing is usually covered by health insurance.