How Do I get Financial Assistance for My Lap Band Surgery?

There are many weigh loss options. However, if you have opted for lap band surgery, you need to consult the doctors to know whether you are really qualified for lap band surgery. If the answer is yes, then you have to find out the total costs of the surgery. This surgery not only involves a significant medical decision, it also involves an important financial decisions.

The overall cost includes the following:

  • hospital fee
  • lab and X-ray fee
  • surgeon fee
  • anesthesia fee
  • other miscellaneous charges which include nutritional counseling, psychological support and follow-up medical visits after operation

In United States, the cost of surgery and related expenses ranges from an average of $15,000 to $25,000. The huge amount is unbearable for many people. Although this is a costly surgery, it doesn’t mean that it is hopeless for the patients to undergo lap band surgery. Nowadays, since lap band surgery is becoming more and popular in demand, there are many insurance companies and financial institutions who offer financial assistance to the patients who are qualified for lap band surgery to assist them to manage their medical payment.

The insurance companies have started offering obesity surgery insurance coverage through some health plans. As a result, if you have purchased those types of health insurance, find out whether there is coverage in the plan for lap band surgery. Besides insurance companies, many financial institutions also offer financing or loans to help the people who suffer from obesity to solve their financial problems.

With the financial program assistance, the patients are able to at least cover part of their medical cost. The patients can consult the doctors as the doctors are able to provide them the necessary information which related to financing programs and payment plans offered by the financial lenders.

By getting to know those financial assistance available is not sufficient, you must know whether you are qualified for it. You are not able to get financial assistance for this surgery if the doctors think that it is not a must for you to undergo this operation. Bear in mind that lap band surgery is totally different from slimming. In order to obtain approval for financial assistance, you need to get necessary documents from the doctors to prove to the insurance companies or financial lenders before you undergo the operation.

You must be able to prove the following:

  • A referral letter from your doctor stating the medical necessity for you to undergo the lap band surgery
  • The history that you have been suffering from obesity for 5 years and above
  • Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 40
  • Your previous records of your weight loss attempts
  • The result of psychological exam that you have sat

All the documentations are strong enough to prove that you really need the lap band surgery before your heath conditions become deteriorated soon. The financial assistance will be provided to you together with a repayment scheme.