How Much Do Cast Members Get Paid To Appear On 'My 600 Pound Life'?
It's a sobering premise for a fact TV display, but the reality is, 'My 600 Pound Life' is a popular program. People are desirous about the cast members, whose lives might be changed in monumental ways by way of getting the assist they need to get wholesome.
The query on all fans' minds, although, is whether or not the cast gets paid for their time on the show. Plus, who can pay the payments for 'My 600 Pound Life,' and is the surgical treatment cost compensated, too?
Does The Cast Of 'My 600 Pound Life' Get Paid?
Most reality sequence pay their "contestants,' though compensation can vary widely. The average per-episode pay on reality shows isn't a true average, because some shows pay far more than others.
In terms of pay scales, though, how does this specific series add up? Do the patients get paid on 'My 600 Pound Life'? Sources say that they do, but is it really a living for the cast?
Likely not, say multiple "anonymous" sources. The cast does get paid, but they reportedly receive a flat fee for a full 12 months' worth of filming. Originally, the fee was said to be $1,000 for the year, but it later grew to $1,500.
The flat price, or "ability rate" seems to be paid to participants at the start of their contract with TLC. But that's not the only amount they receive.
Since most of the reality show personalities have to relocate to receive treatment from Dr. Nowzaradan, there is a relocation fee available to folks who move. Some people on the show do live close enough to Dr. Nowzaradan to not need to relocate, but the ones that do need to move house reportedly receive $2,500 for the inconvenience.
As anyone who's moved states knows, that cash stipend likely doesn't go far. Still, a total of $4,000 in pay, as low as it is as a "wage" for a year, sounds like an absolute bargain considering what the participants are signing up for. It's also a better deal, value-wise, than what couples earn on TLC's '90 Day Fiancé'.
How Much Does Dr. Nowzaradan Cost?
Though 'My 600 Pound Life' cast members don't receive a ton of money for appearing on the series, they do receive free medical care. That means the expenses at Dr. Nowzaradan's hospital -- and the follow-up care -- are all covered.
How much does Dr. Nowzaradan cost, though, and who's footing the bill? It's unclear precisely what the doctor's fees are, but weight loss surgery generally costs at least $20,000, if not far more, depending on what's required during the procedure.
Follow-up care is also not cheap, nor are hospital stays. Remember, these surgeries take place in the United States, and healthcare is probably the most wildly expensive thing anyone can invest in. Some of the cast may have private insurance, or possibly they qualify for government assistance for healthcare coverage.
Still, insurance often limits what they'll pay for, especially if a procedure is considered risky. And, there's also the fact that patients requiring these types of procedures don't often get a choice as to which doctor performs their treatment. Free care from Dr. Nowzaradan is likely plenty of motivation to accept the payment TLC offers.
Despite only receiving a stipend for their time (and their image being used, of course), the participants on 'My 600 Pound Life' receive a valuable package of services. Besides, with successful surgery, the folks on the show stand to get their lives back.
Who Pays The Bills For 'My 600 Pound Life' Cast Members?
Okay, so some relocation costs are covered by the cash stipend from TLC. But what about the bills for the cast during filming? Who pays the bills for 'My 600 Pound Life' cast members?
There's rent to consider, expenses like Uber or taxi rides, groceries (and all that fast food they use in filming those heartbreaking scenes), and utilities. While TLC doesn't explicitly say whether they cover these costs, fans assume that most bills are compensated by the network.
Otherwise, the participants, many of whom claim to live on social security or disability benefits, wouldn't be able to survive.
Therefore, fans speculate that the people who appear on the show receive a housing allowance. In addition, one fan claims, the reality show personalities often live in hospital- or company-owned housing. This information, they say, is based on what the show's past talent has shared online, including on social media.
Of course, not all of the details of the participants' contracts have been revealed. There are many things viewers still don't know about what happens behind the scenes. And it's clear that even with their surgeries and housing expenses paid for, the show's cast has plenty of challenges to face when the cameras stop rolling.
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