Weight Loss Surgery Cost Information from Our Practice Serving Biloxi and Gulfport
We understand that treatment cost is an important factor to consider as you plan and prepare for bariatric surgery. Our team members will do everything they can to assist you with financial forms and paperwork and answer any questions you have about paying for your procedure. We work with several insurance companies that can help our weight loss surgery patients cover the cost of treatment. Serving Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, our practice is committed to providing comprehensive care and positive, life-changing results.
In-Network Plans
South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center is "in network" with the following insurance plans:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
- Mississippi Physicians Care
- First Health
- Premier Health
- AETNA
- FirstChoice
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
Out-of-Network Benefits
If we are not "in network" with your insurance, then you may be able to use "out-of-network" benefits to subsidize the cost of your treatment. We accept most insurance in this manner; however, some policies do not allow members to go out of network. At times you can apply for a "network gap exception" , which would allow you to use your in-network benefits for treatment provided by an out-of-network provider.
To find out whether you can receive benefits for weight loss surgery you must call the customer service number on your card. Ask the customer service representative whether you have coverage for "Morbid Obesity (ICD 9 code 28.01) and Weight Loss Surgery (Lap Band ICD 9 code 43843-22 or Lap Roux-en-Y gastric bypass ICD 9 code 43644 or S 2085) based on Medical Necessity."
We do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. For more information on weight loss surgery cost issues, please contact our practice serving Ocean Springs, Gulfport, Biloxi, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Medical Necessity
Your insurance company normally tells you whether you have benefits that are based on medical necessity. We provide documentation of medical necessity at the consult visit. We then create a letter of medical necessity and send it to your insurance company with the information they need to make a determination. Depending on the requirements of your insurance company, you may have to obtain past medical records, a psychological evaluation, lab work, and/or documentation of past physician-supervised weight loss programs. This information will be gathered and sent to the insurance company. It can take 30-60 days for medical review. For more information about whether your procedure might be classified as a medical necessity and would therefore be eligible for benefits covering the weight loss surgery cost, please contact our Ocean Springs practice serving Biloxi, Gulfport, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Employer Authorization
Unfortunately, your insurance company representative may state that morbid obesity and weight loss surgery are excluded by your health care policy; however, usually it is your employer who determines what will and what will not be covered. We can´t influence these policies, but it may be worth talking to your employer to see whether they will authorize the insurance company to cover you because of the seriousness of this disease and the medical necessity of the treatment. Our experience is that, if this treatment is excluded by your insurance policy, appeal letters from us are of no value and do not get coverage for you. A direct appeal to your employer or assistance from an attorney experienced in these matters may occasionally be successful. To check your benefits policy, look under Exclusion for treatment of "morbid obesity." This may be a covered benefit if medically necessary.
Learn More about Weight Loss Surgery Cost at Our Ocean Springs, Mississippi Practice
To find out how much your weight loss surgery will cost, contact our practice serving Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The treatment cost will depend upon several factors, including the type of bariatric surgery performed. Valorie is the Insurance Specialist on the South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss team. Please don´t hesitate to call her if you have questions after talking with your insurance carrier. Please have your policy benefits manual to refer to when you call. Thanks!
Contact South Mississippi Surgical Weight Loss Center today if you live near Ocean Springs, Mississippi and are considering bariatric surgery. We will be happy to schedule you for one of our info sessions.