Fed Financial
Financial Help With Bariatric Surgery?
Hi. I need Bariatric Rou en Y. It is a $24,000 surgery that is not covered by my insurance. My credit is good but I do not have a home to mortgage or finance. Does anyone know of a government financial assistance program or anything that may help a middle classer with surgery?
Public Comments
- Your bariatric surgeon should have information on financing the surgery.
- Having had gastric bypass surgery myself, I know what it takes to get approved. If your health insurance doesn't cover it, your best bet is to switch insurances. Quite honestly, I know people who've taken out loans, second mortgages on houses, etc. to have this surgery. From my standpoint, find a new health insurance company. It's cheaper to pay an expensive $600 monthly copay that will cover a $24000 surgery, than it is to take out a $24000 loan. Best of luck.
- First off, join Obesity Help and start asking questions. You also need to work with your PCP who would support you. There are many good bariatric surgeons out there. Also, contact your insurance company and have them send you anything about coverage or non-coverage of bariatric surgery. Sometimes you might be able to have the surgery covered, despite what they say. There is also a listing of the insurance companies that people have dealt with and what they thought. Granted, you may have to switch insurance companies, but beware, as there may be restrictions. The important things to remember (and have documentation of) is a BMI of at least 40, co-morbidities (heart problems, diabetes, sleep apena, etc), attempts at weight loss, and of course, a great attitude! I wish you the best!
- Everyone else gave you basically the same advice I would. Your surgeon's office should be able to help you with getting insurance approval. If they can't/won't, think about switching surgeons. Or insurance companies. My husband's companies insurance guy had originally said there was a "rider" which his boss would have to purchase for the whole company that would cover the surgery. We were willing to pay for that rider if it was just a few thousand dollars, and then the offer was withdrawn (probably because they didn't think we'd actually volunteer to pay!). So find about that option. Even if it's $5,000, that's $19,000 less than the surgery. Look into supplemental insurance that you buy on your own that might pick up some of the costs. As a last-ditch attempt, you can ask for donations from friends and co-workers. If you work for a big company, try to get them to donate some money to you by saying how much healthier you will be after your weight loss. Have a party to raise money--I've done it for other people (not for surgery)--have poker tournaments where the winner gets half the pot and you get the other half. Find massage therapists and palm readers who will donate half or all their proceeds for treatments during the party. Combine it with a Body Shop or Tupperware party and ask everyone to round up their payment and give it to you, and have the consultant donate part of the profits to your cause (you must have a friend who sells SOMETHING like this). You'd be surprised how your friends and loved ones will rally around you if you show that you are determined to raise this money.
