Debating the Affordability of Bariatric Surgery
With the current obesity epidemic in this country, many people are turning to gastric bypass surgery for restoring their health. Bariatric surgery cost is one of the first things that will probably cross your mind. Even if you have insurance, it may not cover the cost of this surgery completely and it may not cover it at all. However, in recent years many insurance companies have begun to pay for this surgery.
If your insurance does not cover the cost of obesity surgery, you do have other alterntives. Having had the Roux-en-Y, my insurance company was charged just under $31,000 for this surgery. My insurance company was good enough to pay all except $250 of this cost. I was very fortunate, especially since I did not inquire before the surgery what part of the cost they covered.
More and more insurance companies are covering the cost of this surgery. It can lengthen your life and lower the cost you are paying for obesity related medical issues. Because the bariatric surgery cost is somewhat affordable for lap band surgery, there are several financing options available.
If you are having your lap band surgery at a bariatric surgery center, many of these facilities have their own bariatric surgery financing. If your insurance will not completely cover the cost of your surgery, you may want to consider a medical financing organization. Another option for financing is through the manufacturer of the Lap Band or Realize Band.
The bariatric surgery cost for the lap band usually runs between $10,000 and $20,000.I have seen the surgery for lower than $10,000, but it is important to choose a facility and a surgeon that is considered reliable. The affordability of this surgery has increased. You could be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery, if you have tried unsuccessfully for five years to lose weight and are more than 100 pounds overweight.
July 01 2009 06:45 am | Obesity