One of the main concerns for many people when considering weight loss surgery is cost. When dealing with health insurance companies, the process can often seem long and complicated. We are here to make it easier.
At Atlanta Bariatrics, our office has bariatric coordinators who will assist you in all steps of getting through the weight loss process, including guiding you through the insurance approval process.
If you don’t have insurance, we will go over several options for you including cash pay discounts and ways to obtain loans if necessary. There is truly no better investment you can make than in your own health. Most studies show the cost of the surgery is offset on average in as little as two years just in the savings in decreased medications, decreased hospitalizations, decreased doctor visits, etc.
Your insurance may consider you a candidate for a weight-loss procedure if your Body Mass Index is at least 35 (with two underlying health conditions) or your BMI is 40 or greater (with no underlying health conditions). At Atlanta Bariatrics we have insurance experts on staff to help you get approved through the insurance process.
To find out if your insurance covers bariatric surgery, reach out to one of our Bariatrics coordinators, and they will be happy to assist you.
Cost variables exist with each procedure and we will give you specific pricing at your initial visit or at the informational seminar. If you are paying for the surgery outside of insurance, the costs of the procedure starts as low as $15,421.50 for the lap band, $15,946.50 for the lap sleeve, and around $21,000 for RYGB if the procedures can be done at the outpatient surgery center. This includes the surgeon fee, the hospital fee following surgery, all operating room time, nursing staff, supplies, instruments, medications, anesthesia fee, and your anesthesia team.
Keep in mind that these costs cover the safety and quality of your treatment. All patients should be wary of clinics that promise weight loss results for a "low price." At Atlanta Bariatrics, we work to make our comprehensive, high-quality care accessible to as many people as possible without cutting corners on care. The surgery center also covers your first 90 days of follow-up appointments and the hospital covers for up to 6 months for all self-pay bariatric procedures.
Discounted pricing does not apply to patients using Care Credit or United Medical Credit. If the procedures are done at the hospital, costs start around $12,000 and go up to $18,000, depending on the procedure. These costs will include the surgeon fee, the hospital fee following surgery, all operating room time, nursing staff, supplies, instruments, medications, Anesthesia fee, and your anesthesia team. It also includes your first 6-months of follow-up appointments.
For financing options, we recommend contacting CareCredit(opens in a new tab) or Prosper Lending(opens in a new tab). You can apply for a loan through either patient financing institution to help you afford the cost of surgery.
With CareCredit, you can pay for out of pocket expenses for your weight loss surgery right away and then make convenient monthly payments.
Financing through Prosper Healthcare Lending offers healthy, simple interest loans with no prepayment penalties, no retroactive interest, longer terms for lower monthly payments, and an inquiry process that will only take you minutes to complete.