How to Pay for Weight Loss Surgery

There are two ways to pay for weight loss surgery: by paying out of pocket using a credit card or by filing a claim for coverage with your insurance company. Most surgery clinics will accept a down payment followed by a finance plan to pay in installments. Not all insurance companies will cover this type of procedure, but if you are at least 100 pounds overweight you may have a better chance. Here is how to file a claim for coverage with your insurance company or arrange financing to pay out of pocket.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-authorization form filled out by your doctor

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Instructions

Filing a Claim for Coverage or Paying out of Pocket

• 1

  Consult with your surgeon about the cost of your weight loss surgery procedure. Be sure to get an exact dollar amount so that you can give that figure to your insurance company.

• 2

  Ask your doctor for a pre-authorization form, as the insurance company may ask for information contained on that document. Most insurance companies want to make sure you are authorized for a procedure before they put in your claim for coverage.

• 3

  Call your insurance company and let them know you have consulted with your doctor and are pre-authorized for weight loss surgery. The insurance company will file the claim for your surgery to be covered. You will be contacted via mail on your insurance company's decision.

• 4

  Pay for your weight loss surgery out of pocket if your insurance company denies your claim for coverage. This can usually be done by credit card. Be aware that most surgeons will not accept personal checks or cash for services.

• 5

  Ask your surgeon's office about paying in monthly installments if you cannot afford to pay all at once. Most places will be happy to finance your weight loss surgery procedure as long as you pay a certain percentage of the cost up front. Consult with the surgeon's office to find out what the up-front cost will be.