How to Qualify for Lap-Band Surgery With United Health Care

Lap-Band surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves tightening the upper part of your stomach with a band to control the intake of food. This allows you lose weight over time by limiting the amount of food you need to eat in order to feel satisfied and full. This surgery is performed on individuals who are clinically obese are not able to lose weight through exercise and diet alone. Lap-Band surgery can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on medical facility and locations. One way of financing this type of surgery is through a health insurance company. United Health Care is one insurance company that finances Lap-Band surgery. However, this company has its own medical criteria you must meet in order to qualify.

Instructions

• 1

  Weigh yourself and compute your body mass index (BMI). You must weigh 100 lbs or more above ideal body weight or have a BMI of 40 or more in order to qualify for United Health Care to cover Lap-Band Surgery. See Resources below for a link on how to compute your body mass index.

• 2

  Provide evidence of diseases associated with your obesity. United Health care will cover Lap-Band Surgery if you can show them proof that weight loss is necessary because of illnesses associated with your obesity. These include medical problems such as sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes and other conditions.

• 3

  Provide United Health care with documented evidence that shows you have been overweight for at least five years or more. Ask your physician to provide you with a copy of your medical records showing your weight in the last five years.

• 4

  Provide United Health Care with documentation that shows you have tried weight-loss programs and failed. Create a packet or document listing all of your medically supervised or self-controlled weight-loss attempts and their results. This will help increase your qualifications and chances of getting covered for the Lap-Band surgery.