| The Cost of Obesity
When it comes to financing bariatric surgery, the first thing you should know before going ahead, is that you need to qualify as a candidate for a bariatric procedure due to obesity and not as a quick way to lose weight for cosmetic reasons. After that, both surgery and hospitalization are covered by financial plans.
Health care providers can determine after the initial consultation if people need bariatric weight loss surgery. Individual insurance plans have different coverage's, generally ranging from 50% to up 100% financing for bariatric surgery and hospitalization costs. Some plans even finance further follow-up.
Once physicians determine a person is a candidate for bariatric surgery, they encourage patients to contact their insurance company to inquire about the coverage for the chosen procedure. In fact, financial considerations must be addressed even before the initial consultation.
According to the complexity of the operation, insurance companies may have different plans for financing bariatric surgery, including or not hospitalization and follow up. Some are global plans including all the costs, but it is necessary to verify if you comply with their terms.
Remember that insurance companies do not pay for vanity surgeries, unless it is specified in the contract and even then, only particular surgeries apply. Moreover, because this procedure may be tax deductible, the criteria on every insurance company may vary according to other non-medical parameters and some others may have exclusion clauses to avoid financing bariatric surgery.
A typical bariatric surgery ranges in price between $10,000 to $40,000 depending on the procedure, plus hospitalization and other costs. Once the physician approves you to undergo bariatric surgery, discuss with him the different bariatric procedures and do research to find how much they cost in your area.
Your current health coverage plan may include financing bariatric surgery; otherwise, try to find another plan to reduce costs. Do not forget to ask if the procedure includes hospitalization costs, otherwise how much is estimated for the total expense, and the average price of follow-up visits and complementary services, like assistance from a dietitian or nutritionist.
When financing bariatric surgery, consider those pre-approved plans available through insurance companies co-working as a network with physician and hospitals. If your bariatric procedure is denied your health care provider may appeal the decision attempting to get it overturned in your favor.
If the appeal fails, there is also another option for financing bariatric surgery. Some clinics specialized in obesity problems have their own financial services and may accept financing through other financial means, but require an approved authorization prior to your surgery.
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