To address some of their health issues, many people choose surgical procedures. Bariatric surgery is perhaps one of the most popular procedures performed. This type of surgery is used to treat morbid obesity. Morbid obesity is defined as an excessively overweight condition in which a patient is unable to lose weight through traditional methods such as dieting or exercise. If not treated early and effectively, morbid obesity can lead to complications such as artery blockage, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, movement difficulties, and much more.

When regular exercise and various diets, including fad diet regimens, fail to help a person lose weight, he or she can consult a doctor about surgical weight loss options. Because of the nature of morbid obesity, which is a life-threatening condition, bariatric surgery is considered medically necessary.

What is the procedure?

Surgical procedures that are deemed “medically necessary” are covered by medical insurance, but not all companies cover bariatric surgery procedures. Exclusions for various weight loss surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and lap band surgery are said to be written into this type of medical insurance. If this is the case with your medical Life Insurance, you will be denied coverage if you undergo bariatric surgery.

To be sure, call your insurance company and ask about your medical coverage, especially if you’re covered for a possible weight loss surgery. If you are certain that your insurance policy covers bariatric surgery and that your doctor recommends it for your condition, there is no reason not to have it done.

For the processing of insurance coverage approval documents, your insurance company will need a copy of your doctor’s recommendation letter for weight loss surgery. You can proceed with the procedure right away once everything has been properly processed.

Don’t give up if your insurance company has denied coverage for the surgery. In a large number of cases, additional information provided by the hospital or doctor in the form of an appeal letter results in insurance coverage approval. Many hospitals have insurance specialists on staff who can assist you in communicating with your insurance company and obtaining approval.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Covered By Insurance?

There was a time when bariatric surgery was uncommon and not covered by insurance. However, insurance companies are beginning to cover weight loss surgery in greater numbers than ever before.

Experimental techniques for example mini gastric bypass and duodenal switches are typically not covered by insurance policies. However, laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric bands, and gastric sleeves are now covered by the majority of major insurance companies. That doesn’t, however, imply that the insurance policy of yours happens to cover bariatric surgery.

Your policy’s coverage rules are determined by the type and age of your policy. It has nothing to do with the insurance company. You must contact your insurance company directly and provide them with your member identification number or policy number to verify this. If your policy covers weight loss surgery, insurance is usually the better option than paying cash.

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