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Will Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery, or Do I Have to Pay Out of Pocket for Weight Loss Treatment?

Obesity can wreak havoc on your body, causing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a long list of other health issues.

While bariatric surgery, also referred to as weight loss surgery, is a great tool to help overcome obesity when diet and exercise aren’t working, financing the surgery can be tricky.

Will insurance cover bariatric surgery? Keep reading to find out!

How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?

The average weight loss surgery cost runs between $20,000 and $25,000. That’s before additional costs like prescriptions, aftercare, and support staff like anesthesiologists. There are quite a few things that factor into the price of the surgery. 

Factors include geographic location, type of surgery, and the hospital itself. Most importantly, the surgeon’s expertise is a big contributor to the total cost.

However, a surgeon’s knowledge and experience should never be sacrificed. You could end up with disastrous complications that require multiple revision surgeries if you skimp on quality to save money.

Will Insurance Cover Bariatric Surgery?

This is where things get tricky. It entirely depends on your plan. In Virginia, insurers have to “make available” plans covering bariatric surgery, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the plan you have covers weight loss surgery. 

The best way to find out is to call your insurance company. If your plan covers the surgery, you’ll likely have to prove that the surgery is medically necessary and that it’s not simply for cosmetic purposes.

I Need Bariatric Surgery – What’s the First Step to Finding Out If I’m Covered?

Will insurance cover bariatric surgery? The first step is determining which procedure is best for you, as your insurance company may cover some surgical procedures, such as lap-band surgery, but not others.

Give us a call at 703-465-5060 to schedule your consultation, where we’ll help determine the best treatment options.