Financing A Bariatric Surgery
By Eddie Tobey, Thu Dec 8th
Bariatric surgery for weight loss may be a life-savingprocedure, but it is not cheap. Although a number of insurancecompanies cover the procedure, many individuals find that theirmedical insurance providers balk at the cost. Most insurancecompanies require a letter outlining a patient's weigh-losshistory and the medical necessity for the surgery before theywill even consider financing the procedure. Even with acarefully crafted letter, many insurance companies will refuseto authorize the surgery.
If this happens, the patient should not give up hope, since mostinsurance providers give patients an opportunity to appeal adenial. Most insurance companies require that patients appealwithin 30-60 days after receiving a denial of coverage. Thebariatric surgery insurance Appeal Letter should includeinformation disputing the insurance provider's reason fordenial. As a last result, patients may need an attorney to helpprove the medical necessity of the procedure.
For patients with no insurance, there are financial alternativesavailable. A number of financial institutions offer financingspecifically for healthcare expenses such as co-payments,deductibles, and procedures not covered by insurance, includingbariatric surgery. Some offer no-interest, same-as-cash plans aswell as extended payment plans. Some bariatric surgery centerscontract with finance companies to offer financial assistance topatients who are interested in this type of surgery but do nothave the insurance to pay for it.
Finally, a patient can take out a home equity loan to financethe procedure. Those patients who do elected to pay forbariatric surgery themselves should keep in mind that it may betax deductible, since it is considered a major medical expense.A consultation with an accountant may e in order.
About the author:Bariatric SurgeryInfo provides detailed information on bariatric surgery,including cost, patients, centers, diet, financing, andcomplications, as well as specific procedures like laparoscopicand bypass surgery. Bariatric Surgery Info is the sister site ofGastric BypassSurgery Web.
