Weight Loss Surgery Financing Can Be Tricky

Posted on July 3, 2014 at 11:57 PM by Todd Eibes, MD

Figuring out your weight loss surgery financing options can be overwhelming. You’ll have questions about how much the surgery will cost, what your insurance will cover, and what other options you may have.

Here’s what you should know:

Weight loss surgery is expensive. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, typical costs can run from anywhere from $20,000 to $25,000.

The price of your weight loss surgery will depend on several factors:

The type of surgery you're having. Each will have a different fee depending on the type of weight loss surgery.
Your surgeon's fee, as well as anesthesiologist and surgical assistant fees.
The hospital in which you’ll have your surgery. Costs will typically include the operating and hospital rooms, among other fees.

In addition, these costs may also apply:

Device fees (if applicable)
Consultant fees (such as nutritional and emotional counseling)
Follow-up procedures (if necessary)

Here’s the good news. At Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, we have a financial counselor who will work with you and your insurance company every step of the way. We’ll review your health insurance policy with you to identify exactly what we need to do to get your weight loss surgery financed in the most efficient way possible.

Most insurance companies recognize that people who are obese are more likely to get serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. In fact, there’s a great deal of evidence that weight loss surgery can improve or resolve up to 30 obesity-related conditions, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Financing such types of surgeries can actually be in your insurance company’s best interest as well as yours.

Most major insurance companies will require:

Proof that surgery is medically necessary.
Participation in a physician-supervised diet program.
A psychological evaluation to make sure that you understand weight loss surgery and the impact it will have on your lifestyle, as well as check for untreated eating disorders or any other psychological issues.

When you have completed these steps, the Iowa Weight Loss Specialists will send a preauthorization letter to your insurance company. The letter will outline your medical history and health problems related to your weight, and provide documentation that you have completed all requirements for approval.

If you don’t have health insurance we can help with that too. It’s important to work with our financial counselor so we can help you explore other options.

When it comes to weight loss surgery financing there are many levels of options and requirements. Your team at the Iowa Weight Loss Specialists will walk you through every step, assist as you sort through your options and help make this part of your weight loss journey less overwhelming.

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