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Weight Loss Surgery: How Much Does It Cost?

Weight loss surgery does not come cheap and can cost an average of $25,000. However, it is worth the money paid because this type of surgery can greatly improve the patient’s health and quality of life. Nevertheless, people would still want to know all they can about weight loss surgery costs in order to prepare their finances before the treatment takes place. Bariatric weight loss surgery typically costs $17,000 to $35,000 but the actual cost will depend on many factors and will differ from one patient to the next.

Ask for the Overall Price

In order to get a good idea of the cost of weight loss surgery, you have to talk to a bariatric surgeon and ask for the total cost of the procedure from start to finish. Your surgeon will let you know about the different bariatric surgery options available, and will recommend a procedure that is suited to your health and weight conditions. From there, the surgeon should be able to give you a good idea of how much it will cost to have a weight loss surgery.

Be sure to ask whether the quoted price includes consultations before the surgery and follow-up visits after the surgery. Bariatric programs differ, so it’s important to know what services are included in the quoted price.

You will also want to know what costs will be billed by the hospital, and what costs will be for the doctor’s office.

Paying for Weight Loss Surgery

Once you have a good idea of the cost of weight loss surgery, the next step is to determine whether your health insurance company will cover the procedure. Some insurance companies do not cover bariatric surgery, or if they do, the amount of coverage may differ from one company to another.

If the cost of weight loss surgery is not covered by your health insurance in part or in full, you can inquire if the doctor’s office or hospital is willing to accept monthly installments. Most medical facilities require payment upfront, but it won’t hurt to ask. The doctor’s office may be able to put you in touch with patient financing companies where you can get a medical loan to finance your weight loss surgery.

Insurance Coverage of Weight Loss Surgery

Your health insurance provider may agree to cover the cost of bariatric surgery if your doctor is able to establish that the procedure is a medical necessity and if you meet the requirements set by the National Institute of Health, which recommends weight loss surgery for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40.

Cases of chronic morbid obesity (BMI above 40) can be covered by insurance, as long as your doctor can certify to the insurance provider that the surgery is a medical necessity. Appropriate documentation is required, including records of your attempts to lose weight using conventional methods, which must be supervised by a doctor.

The insurance company may also be more willing to cover the cost of weight loss surgery if you suffer from obesity-related disorders like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.


Weight Loss Surgery: How Much Does It Cost?

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General Weight Loss Tips

Getting Insured

I have something big to share. I’m buying group health insurance for myself and my husband starting in August. This is a big deal to me for many reasons. 1) I can stop worrying 2) family can stop worrying 3) this has been a freelance goal of mine for a year 4) I can get pregnant and not worry about not being covered 5) I found coverage!

And finally, pride. Pride because I found a way to make it happen. Do I think the health care system is corrupt and needs serious changes? Yes! But what I want and what is are two different things right now. I am writing this to help out those who may be thinking about the self-employment route, but are worried about not having health insurance. Here is what I’ve discovered:

1) Having an LLC between two people automatically qualifies you for group health insurance. Getting an LLC is pretty inexpensive and easy to do. Our LLC is not our main source of income, this isn’t an issue. Having group health insurace is guaranteed coverage at a group rate. Pre-existing conditions are not an issue here.

2) It’s more affordable. But not cheap. When I had a full-time job it would cost about $600 a month to bring my husband on to my plan. And another $250 a month when we have a child. When I left my job I qualified for COBRA for only 18 months at $550, just for me. Our policy now with full-coverage for $800 a month. Ouch. Yes. But, I couldn’t even get coverage as an individual. Another thing to consider is, is that this policy would be about $300 less when I’m no longer obese. How’s that for incentive?

3) Making the decision to make it happen. I realized that I needed to double my income to comfortably afford health insurance. I came up with a plan that works for me. This didn’t mean taking on hours upon hours of design work or killing myself to make more jewelry. It means that I have found a way to streamline my production and cutting back on excess (unpaid) work.

I have started writing freelance articles (improved writing skills!) that only adds about 15 hours to my already dedicated 10-12 per week. So by only working 25 hours a week I can afford all of my living expenses with room left over to pay down debt and save with some left over for fun stuff and travel.

This also leaves room for my creative projects, which is most important to me. It took a year to get to this point. Time organization and priorities can be tricky when you’re your own boss, but not impossible. I decided to stop spinning my wheels and make it happen.

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Categories
General Weight Loss Tips

Getting Insurance

I have something big to share. I’m buying group health insurance for myself and my husband starting in August. This is a big deal to me for many reasons. 1) I can stop worrying 2) family can stop worrying 3) this has been a freelance goal of mine for a year 4) I can get pregnant and not worry about not being covered 5) I found coverage!

And finally, pride. Pride because I found a way to make it happen. Do I think the health care system is corrupt and needs serious changes? Yes! But what I want and what is are two different things right now. I am writing this to help out those who may be thinking about the self-employment route, but are worried about not having health insurance. Here is what I’ve discovered:

1) Having an LLC between two people automatically qualifies you for group health insurance. Getting an LLC is pretty inexpensive and easy to do. Our LLC is not our main source of income, this isn’t an issue. Having group health insurace is guaranteed coverage at a group rate. Pre-existing conditions are not an issue here.

2) It’s more affordable. But not cheap. When I had a full-time job it would cost about $600 a month to bring my husband on to my plan. And another $250 a month when we have a child. When I left my job I qualified for COBRA for only 18 months at $550, just for me. Our policy now with full-coverage for $800 a month. Ouch. Yes. But, I couldn’t even get coverage as an individual. Another thing to consider is, is that this policy would be about $300 less when I’m no longer obese. How’s that for incentive?

3) Making the decision to make it happen. I realized that I needed to double my income to comfortably afford health insurance. I came up with a plan that works for me. This didn’t mean taking on hours upon hours of design work or killing myself to make more jewelry. It means that I have found a way to streamline my production and cutting back on excess (unpaid) work.

I have started writing freelance articles (improved writing skills!) that only adds about 15 hours to my already dedicated 10-12 per week. So by only working 25 hours a week I can afford all of my living expenses with room left over to pay down debt and save with some left over for fun stuff and travel.

This also leaves room for my creative projects, which is most important to me. It took a year to get to this point. Time organization and priorities can be tricky when you’re your own boss, but not impossible. I decided to stop spinning my wheels and make it happen.

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