Billing and Insurance

There are many people recommended for treatment of obesity, but their health insurance neither covers nor reimburses those services. Many of these patients are in dire need of controlling their weight and choose to self pay. Surprisingly, the cost of paying for an operation is frequently less than the cost of paying for the cost of a patient’s obesity and related illnesses. We have experts available and willing to counsel should this become necessary. Denial of insurance coverage for obesity treatment is difficult to understand--most insurance companies will pay for treating conditions caused by obesity, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, yet they will not pay for an operation that can frequently cure the disease itself!

Why should I consider self pay?

Some patients who either don't have surgical weight loss coverage or have too many insurance hurdles to jump through choose to self pay for the operation. The advantages of this are 1) You can choose to have surgery when you want, as there is no waiting game, 2) The money you spend is tax-deductible, which can save you thousands of dollars on your return, and 3) The money you will save on reduced food and medication expenditures may be greater the payment on your operation.

Our Affordability Calculator can help you visualize how advantageous weight loss surgery can be for you.

The main difference after surgery is that you are investing in a procedure that is making you healthier and will make you live longer, instead of wasting money on things that are detrimental to your health. We have experts on-hand that can assist you in making this decision and finding the appropriate financing to fit your needs.

It is important to note that expenditures related to the treatment of obesity are tax-deductible, which can save a typical patient thousands of dollars on the current year's return.

1.  Allergan Financing

Allergan (the manufacturer of the band) has an excellent program available to qualified applicants through CareCredit with an 84 month term that can make the payment very affordable.  We can assist you with the application process.  You can fill out a simple application at www.CareCredit.com

2.  Capital One

Capital One is one of the nation's largest medical finance companies.  They can be reached by calling 1-877-559-5050, or by going to their website at www.capitalone.com and clicking on "Healthcare Financing.

3.  National City Financing

For Realize Band patients there is a partnership with National City that allows patients to take advantage of reduced interest rates.  You can find out more by calling 1-866-REALIZE or going to www.RealizeBand.com (go to the "Qualify and Pay for Surgery" page).