Cost and Coverage
The decision to have weight loss surgery usually takes years to make, and the costs associated with weight loss surgery may seem overwhelming. There is good news! Most insurance companies now cover bariatric surgery because it can lead to long-term weight loss and greatly reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes and other life-threatening health problems.
Insurance coverage is an important aspect to understand. The easiest way to know if your insurance will pay for bariatric-related care is to call them and ask. The fact that your physician feels that surgery is medically necessary does not guarantee that your insurance company will agree. It is helpful to find out the specific criteria your insurance requires to qualify for surgery and work to gather all of that information. Remember: Every insurance company is different and may require different information.
If you do not have insurance, or your insurance does not cover bariatric surgery, you have the option to self-pay for the bariatric surgery services. Our dedicated staff work together with you to help make your experience one that allows you to make informed decisions about paying for surgery.
Bariatric Pricing for Self-Pay Patients
We are fortunate to partner with area healthcare providers to offer a package price for bariatric surgery.
This price includes the following for an uncomplicated case:
- Pre-operative testing*
- Individual dietary sessions and coaching
- Psychological evaluation
- Surgeon Fees
- The hospital stay
- The anesthesia for the surgery
- Twelve months follow-up with our multi-disciplinary team
- Monthly support groups: procedural information, planning, behaviors, emotional and family support
*If you have a medical condition that requires additional pre-operative testing or medical clearances, you may acquire additional costs. Please discuss any medical problems with our team to determine if any additional test/procedures are needed.
The following is a list of the package prices by surgery:
- Adjustable Gastric Banding $11,600
- Sleeve Gastrectomy $15,000
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass $20,500
For all bariatric self-pay patients, the initial consultation is $250 and is taken off of the package price for surgery.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
If you are pre-approved by your insurance for bariatric surgery, you may have co-pays or co-insurance costs that you will need to pay out-of-pocket. Please contact your insurance company if you have any questions about what your possible out-of-pocket costs may be. These costs are due before your surgery is scheduled.
Financing Options:
With today’s rising health costs, it’s normal to wonder if you can afford using financing for weight loss surgery. Extra weight often goes hand in hand with extra financial burden. Studies show obesity increases a person’s healthcare costs by 36% and medication costs by 105%, compared with people in a normal weight range. Knowing this, you may want to consider your own:
- Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication costs
- Doctors/specialists, office visits, lab work, physical therapist, etc.
- Employment inactivity (missed work)
- Nonsurgical weight loss programs (WeightWatchers®, Jenny Craig®, etc.)
- Increased grocery and dining costs
We are constantly working to bring you various payment arrangement methods. Most surgery related fees are not due until after you are approved by any applicable insurance and are ready to schedule surgery. Also you can take advantage of the time during which you are preparing for surgery and meeting insurance guidelines to arrange payment or save for the expenses you will incur.
Prosper HealthCare Lending
Prosper Healthcare Lending is the premier financing company in the Bariatric industry. With over $3 Billion funded and over 250,000 loan inquiries serviced, this is a name and a program you can trust:
Here are some of the benefits you’ll receive with a loan from Prosper Healthcare Lending:
- Immediate decisions for loans up to $35,000
- Term options out to 60 months (affordable monthly payments)
- No collateral required
- No prepayment penalties
- Fast & easy loan inquiry process
- 100% Confidential
We look forward to helping you with every aspect of obtaining weight loss surgery, including the financing of the procedure. Please remember that if you ever have any issue with our practice that you are having difficulty resolving, please contact the program coordinator directly.