Step 4: Arrange for Payment

We believe that improving your health and your life shouldn't cause other stresses. That's why we offer flexible payment arrangements so you can afford your LAP-BAND procedure. Payment options include:

Insurance

Each insurance company has its own criteria for bariatric surgery, and policies change frequently. We will work with your insurance company on your behalf and submit all required information to expedite their approval process, so you'll know in advance what is covered.

First we will prepare a letter to establish the "medical necessity" of weight loss surgery and obtain pre-authorization from your insurance company. We will need some facts and records from you to prepare this letter, such as your height, weight, body mass index and any documentation proving how long you have been overweight. Insurance companies will not accept "morbid obesity" as enough to establish medical necessity. They require a full description of your obesity-related health conditions, including documentation of the effects they've had on your everyday life, records of treatment, and medication histories.

We will need a detailed history of your dieting efforts and results with medically and non-medically supervised programs, including medical records, and payment and attendance records with commercial weight-loss programs. We will also need a history of your exercise programs, including health club membership receipts.

Lastly, we will need a letter from your general physician diagnosing you as morbidly obese and stating that you are a candidate for bariatric surgery. Your physician should also state that he or she has supervised you in diet and exercise attempts that have not significantly helped.

Private Payment

You may, of course, pay by cash, check or major credit card. Full payment is due two weeks prior to surgery.

Third Party Financing

We have partnered with several leading providers of elective medical procedure financing, to give more patients affordable access to the critical care they need. These include:

eMedical Financial Solutions:

 
CosmetiCredit:

Each provider offers a comprehensive range of financing for different credit levels, and our partnership with several lenders gives us more options for getting loans approved. Each provider can offer monthly payments to fit nearly any budget. You can even combine multiple procedures such as bariatric, cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry and hair transplants into one loan.

Appealing a Denial

If the insurance company turns down your request for gastric bypass surgery, you may be able to appeal the decision. Many people do not take advantage of the appeals process or know of the laws that govern insurance companies in their state. Your health is worth the time and energy it takes to advocate coverage.

It's critical that you understand your health insurance policy thoroughly, including the number of appeals you are allowed and what, exactly, constitutes an appeal. The number of denials varies among policies and is detailed in your Certificate of Coverage.