Insurance and Affordability
Insurance coverage for bariatric surgery is available through many health plans and carriers. Sacramento Bariatric contracts with most insurance companies and we will help you navigate this complex process towards authorization. It is important to understand your “Certificate of Coverage” and any exclusions for bariatric surgery. As each plan is unique in their requirements, we will confirm your qualification for bariatric surgery and your insurance requirements at your first visit. We will develop a timeline for you to guide you towards authorization. Dr. Machado and her experienced staff will obtain all the documents and pre-surgical tests and visits required including dietary and behavioral health evaluations.
If you do not have bariatric surgical coverage or an exclusion, Sacramento Bariatric has cash pay options available. We also accept CareCredit© for financing options for our patients. If you are interested in our cash pay package, please contact our office for additional information.
Bariatric Surgery Pays for Itself
With today’s rising health costs, one may wonder if now is the time to consider bariatric surgery. Obesity is associated with increased healthcare and medication costs that are 60-75% higher than a patient in the normal weight range. The other financial costs associated with obesity include:
- Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses
- Prescription and over-the-counter medication costs
- Doctors/specialists, office visits, lab work, physical therapists, x-rays
- Employment inactivity (missed work)
- Nonsurgical weight loss programs (Weight Watchers®, Jenny Craig®, etc.)
- Increased grocery and dining costs
Using bariatric surgery to significantly reduce your weight may also reduce your weight-related costs. If the cost savings that happen after surgery are taken into account, many can find that financing surgery is not only very obtainable but will actually save money.
Bariatric surgery pays for itself in about 2 years for the average patient. Since weight loss surgery helps improve or resolve conditions associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, patients save money on prescription drugs, doctor visits, and hospital visits. In fact, monthly savings associated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery were shown to reach more than $900 as early as 13 months following surgery.