We want to help make your weight loss journey as affordable and seamless as possible. Dealing with insurance companies and trying to figure out what and how much is covered can be a tedious process. That’s why our team is at your disposal to carefully walk you through each step and help you learn if bariatric surgery is a covered benefit.
If you have any questions regarding bariatric surgery insurance coverage, call us at (940) 249-9009 to speak with one of our patient advocates.
Preparing for Approval
Most insurance companies will ask for in-depth, comprehensive documentation relating to your previous weight loss attempts. We advise you to gather the following information:
- medical documentation of a five-year weight history
- any actual documentation of diet drugs and medically supervised diets prescribed
- records of commercial diet programs you have tried (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.)
- records of any exercise programs you have tried (YMCA/YWCA, gym membership, etc.).
You will need to begin gathering these records now, so they are readily available when we initiate communication with your insurance company for your bariatric surgery. It is not enough for you to simply list these items – the insurance company will require official documentation.
You will need to contact the doctor who weighed you and/or prescribed weight loss drugs for a copy of that documentation. A summary letter of dates, weights, prescribed medications and supervised diets from that doctor is acceptable. You may need to contact commercial diet program offices and exercise facilities for records if you do not have these.
Getting Approval
Some insurance companies will make the decision about your weight loss surgery within a few weeks. Some insurance carriers take several weeks or months to return a decision. We will contact you when we have heard from your carrier. In addition, you may contact your insurance company to check on the status of your insurance approval.