Bariatric Surgery Cost and insurance facts

Paying for Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Price is likely going to be a key factor when making the decision to have bariatric surgery to treat obesity. These surgeries have the potential to change your life, but this can be at the expense of your wallet. The good news is that growing numbers of insurers are now covering all or part of the costs of these surgeries if you meet certain pre-specified criteria.

Weight Loss Surgery Cost

In general, bariatric surgery cost comprises the pre-op lab and X-ray fees, anesthesia, hospital facility and surgeon's fee. Depending on the bariatric surgery procedure, costs can range anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. Gastric sleeve cost or gastric bypass cost may be higher than the Lap-band cost or the cost of the Realize Band because these surgeries tend to be more complicated and may involve a longer hospital stay. The cost of duodenal switch surgery may also comprise additional price-related variables that affect the bottom line.

There are also additional costs such as follow-up body contouring procedures to get rid of excess fat or flab that remains after massive weight loss, as well as the cost of vitamins and supplements that insurers will not cover.

Weight Loss Surgery Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for weight loss surgery varies by state and insurance provider. Some private insurers may foot the entire bill, and many public or private insurance companies will pay 80 percent of what is considered the "customary and usual" cost for the surgery. Recently Medicare, the U.S. government health plan for people 65 or older, announced it will pay for three types of weight loss surgery for certain patients. Are you one of them?

Financing your weight-loss surgery can be a very stressful process. Our center designates a financial consultant to each of our patients. This person will do the following:

• Call your insurance company for you and verify if your company offers the benefit
• Walks you through step-by-step through all the things that the insurance company will require to do if coverage is available
• Assist in financing options if insurance coverage is not available

Will my insurance pay for my surgery?

Many insurers in fact will cover your weight-loss surgery but it is difficult to achieve insurance authorization on your own. This is why we assign each patient a personal authorization specialist to stream-line this process. Insurance coverage varies from patient to patient and employer to employer. This is why its important to work with a specialist.