Paying for Weight Loss Surgery

Paying for Weight Loss Surgery

At the UC Health Weight Loss Center, we understand that for many patients, cost can be the deciding factor on moving forward with bariatric surgery. Weight loss surgery is expensive, and understanding your insurance coverage can be complicated. We work hard to make sure that everyone who is a qualified candidate and desires weight loss surgery is able to receive the life-changing procedure.

How We Can Help

Our goal is to help you understand your specific benefit coverage and to educate you on your covered benefits, out-of-pocket expenses and our self-pay options. Our program accepts a variety of health insurance plans, but coverage varies widely. We work with you to determine what your specific policy covers. While we do not give financial advice, we can help you understand your options.

If insurance is not an option, you may choose to pay for surgery on your own. Our patients fund the cost of the procedure through a variety of ways, including:

• Cash payments
• Credit cards
• Gifts from family and friends
• Loans from financial institutions

Regardless of which option is used to pay for weight loss surgery, our patients overwhelmingly tell us the decision to have weight loss surgery was well worth the investment.

Financial Benefits of Weight Loss

Weight loss can save your life, but it can also save you money. The cost of obesity adds up quickly due to:

• More doctor visits and extra medications to treat obesity-related conditions
• Time away from work or loss of employment due to weight-related issues
• Added food costs

A recent George Washington University study looked at the costs of obesity. The study determined, on average, obese women spend an extra $4,800 a year on weight-related expenses. Obese men spend more than $2,500 per year. By understanding the cost burden of continued obesity, it becomes clear that weight loss surgery can pay for itself in reduced expenses over time.

In addition to the financial burdens you eliminate over the long term through bariatric surgery, you may want to consider the extraordinary changes you will experience in your quality of your life. Many of our patients found that losing excess weight renewed their confidence, helped put more energy into their careers, spend more quality time with their loved ones, become physically active, and improve their overall mental health and well being.