Insurance coverage differs based on the type of insurance plan
you have and the insurance company. Some insurers fully cover
weight loss surgery, some have certain restrictions, and others do
not cover the surgery at all.
To determine if your insurance company covers weight loss
surgery, please call the insurance company directly. The
telephone number is usually listed on the back of your
identification card. When you speak with a representative, be
sure to specify with surgery you would like to have (adjustable
gastric band, gastric bypass, or sleeve gastrectomy).
Some insurance plans require a referral for all visits
with the surgeon and other specialists. Be sure to contact
your insurance company in advance for these referrals unless your
insurance does not require them.
To receive final insurance approval for weight loss surgery, you
must submit a letter of necessity to the insurance company.
After you complete all of the program requirements, the surgeon's
office will prepare and submit this letter for you.
Unfortunately, some insurance companies will deny patients for
weight loss surgery. If you insurance company denies your
surgery, contact your surgeon's office immediately. We will
help you submit your appeal.
Most insurance companies consider the sleeve gastrectomy an
"experimental" procedure and therefore will not readily authorize
the procedure. However, if your surgeon feels this is an
appropriate surgery for you, we will assist you and try to get it
approved by your insurance company.
