When you haven’t been able to lose weight with traditional methods, weight loss surgery is a great way to get rid of the weight and improve your health. But, how are you going to pay for it? Insurance may or may not completely cover your procedure.
At Snow Bariatric Center, located in Fort Worth and Flower Mound, Texas, Dr. Robert Snow, our expert bariatric surgeon, has years of experience in weight loss surgery and can help you find out if your insurance company covers the procedure.
We may recommend weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, if you’re significantly overweight or obese. It’s only considered when other methods of weight loss haven’t worked, and you’re at risk for medical conditions related to your weight.
Typically, your BMI is over 35 or you’re more than 100 pounds overweight to be considered for bariatric surgery. You may also be considered if your weight has caused medical concerns like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Dr. Snow offers many forms of weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass and the Lap-Band® procedure. He also offers gastric sleeve surgery and minimally invasive bariatric endoscopy to help you lose weight.
If you need weight loss surgery, one of the first things you have to deal with is how to pay for it. Each insurance company is different, and learning a few tips can help you get your bariatric surgery covered.
Different insurance companies have different policies regarding weight loss surgery. The level of coverage for this specific treatment depends on your specific plan and if you qualify for the procedure.
Many insurance companies require you to be over the age of 18 in order to undergo weight loss surgery. You also need to meet certain requirements, such as a BMI of over 40. However, you can also qualify if your BMI is over 35 and you have medical issues like diabetes or hypertension.
You may also need to finish a weight loss plan before and after you have your procedure. This shows that you’re willing to commit to the lifestyle changes needed for your weight loss surgery to be successful.
Navigating insurance for bariatric surgery can be tricky, so learning important tips to get started helps make it a more successful journey. Here are a few tips that can help you when you’re looking into coverage for bariatric surgery:
Simply asking your insurance company if they cover weight loss surgery is the easiest way to find out if you’re covered. Our team also contacts your insurance before your initial appointment to figure out if you’re covered or not. Each type of plan is different, and may have requirements that need to be met before it’s covered.
Visiting your primary care doctor on a regular basis is another key to helping you get coverage for your procedure. They have valuable documentation that’s often used in precertification for weight loss surgery.
Make sure you have documentation of your weight loss efforts over the last few years. Put in any exercise routine you’ve tried and any diets or other types of weight loss treatments you’ve tried. This shows that you’ve tried to lose weight on your own without success.
Smoking increases your risks of problems after surgery. Many insurance companies require you to quit smoking before they fully cover a surgical procedure, such as bariatric surgery. Dr. Snow helps you quit smoking so you can reach your goals.
If you’re looking to improve your life through bariatric surgery, call one of our offices in Texas today. You can also request an appointment online using the booking tool on our website.
