Lap Band Financing and Insurance Coverage
Lap band surgery is the last option a person considers when they need to lose weight. It is never a first resort. There are risks involved with this type of surgery and it is not easy on the pocket book. Even if you are an appropriate candidate for lap band surgery, you may not be able to afford the surgery on your own and will have to look for lap band financing. In fact, lap band financing is one of the main ways that patients are able to afford to have the surgery.
The financial side of weight loss surgery is likely to weigh heavily on your mind. Lap band financing may involve monthly payments that could take some time to pay off but it is worth it in the long-term. This is your health and your life we are talking about after all!
Lap band surgery can cost as much as $25,000 to $30,000 and it can double if there are any major complications. Then there is the issue of post operative care. Due to the pricey nature of bariatric surgery, lap band financing is a must for many potential patients.
Always look into lap band financing options with your insurance company before you turn your attention elsewhere. Even if you are offered lap band financing to pay for part of the cost of the surgery it is still beneficial. Any amount that can offset the total cost is worth looking closer at.
But what if you do not have insurance coverage or what if your insurance company does not offer lap band financing?
If you fall into this category then seek out lap band financing from other places. For example, many patients may meet the qualifications for either Medicaid or Medicare. In some instances lap band financing may cover the complete cost of the surgery while in other instances, a co-payment may be a necessity.
In order to qualify for lap band financing through Medicaid, you must have a low and/or limited income. Other criteria that are used to determine eligibility include age, citizenship, whether or not you have a disability, and any assets you may have.
If you look to Medicare for lap band financing you must be at least 65 years of age or older or you must be younger than 65 and have disabilities that are characterized as such under the Social Security Act. Medicare will also look seriously at lap band financing for those who suffer from End-State Renal Disease. For those who are unfamiliar with this disease, it is when a patient suffers from permanent kidney failure that necessitates dialysis and/or who are on the list for a kidney transplant.
