Benefits of Self-Paying for Weight Loss Surgery

Advanced bariatric procedures — including gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, and duodenal switch — have proven to be highly effective in helping patients take control of their weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle. While our North Dallas weight loss practice makes it a priority to make bariatric surgery as affordable as possible, it’s often a patient’s first instinct to try and obtain full or partial coverage from their insurance provider. This can work nicely for some patients, but others may find that self-paying for weight loss surgery is the best course of action. Everyone’s situation is different, but self-paying for your procedure can have a myriad of benefits, including:

• Faster Treatment Timeline: The approval process for weight loss surgery is often very time-consuming. In addition to requiring an abundance of lab tests, assessments, referrals, and appointments, some insurance companies also require patients to undergo a mandatory six-month weight loss class before considering approval. Self-financing your procedure can give you the opportunity to begin the process right away and empower you to take on a healthier lifestyle faster than the timeline afforded by your insurance company.
• Greater Freedom When Choosing Your Bariatric Surgeon and Procedure: Unfortunately, some insurance companies only cover specific procedures and weight loss providers, even when these options may not be the right fit for your needs. Bypassing the insurance process can give you the ultimate power to make your own choices about your health, bariatric surgeon, and treatment plan.
• Avoids the Insurance Approval Process: Submitting an insurance claim for bariatric surgery can be frustrating and necessitate multiple medical appointments, lab tests, assessments, and evaluations to confirm the procedure is a medical necessity. At the end of the process, you may still have your claim denied. Some patients feel that self-paying allows for a less stressful and harrowing experience as they begin their weight loss journeys.
• May Save You Money in the Long-Term: Many insurance policies have high deductibles and co-pays that need to be met first in order to obtain coverage. On top of the out-of-pocket costs that may be owed before your insurance kicks in, using insurance to pay for your procedure can ultimately raise your premiums in the long run.

If you have any questions about bariatric surgery insurance and financing options, Dr. Bagshahi and our team would be happy to give you a better understanding of the payment process. We accept payment plans from leading healthcare lending companies such as CareCredit^®, Prosper^® Healthcare Lending, and United Medical Credit^®, which can each allow qualified patients to pay for their bariatric procedure over time in smaller installments.

At Bagshahi Bariatric and General Surgery, our team strives to make the process of paying for your weight loss surgery as easy, convenient, and seamless as possible. If you have questions about the cost of bariatric surgery or our accepted payment methods, please don’t hesitate to contact our DFW office to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team.