Does United Healthcare Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

When most people think about weight loss surgery, they think about the fact that it's an expensive and painful process. They also think about the stigma attached to going through surgery to help them lose weight. Some even think about the risks of surgery, which are often unnecessary and unhealthy in general. But do health insurance plans actually cover it? Many do, but you'll need to check with your own insurance company to find out exactly what you're going to have to pay for.

The truth is that any kind of weight loss surgery is going to cost a lot of money. If you're looking at having gastric bypass surgery or some other type, expect to be looking at a bill that can range in the tens of thousands of dollars. Not including the cost of the actual procedure, you could easily spend several thousand dollars on food and medical supplies. Even after recovering from surgery, you'll likely still be required to buy more food than you used to. In addition to this, there will likely be a regimen of counseling, medication, and possibly even weight loss surgery again. Not to mention all the aftercare that will have to be dealt with.

Health insurance companies will usually cover the cost of surgeries like gastric bypass or bariatric surgery if it's deemed by the doctor that you have a serious health condition that impairs your ability to control your weight. There are many diseases and conditions that can cause this condition, such as diabetes or obesity. For this reason, insurance plans will usually categorize diseases of obesity as serious disorders. This doesn't mean, however, that you can't lose weight as a result of being categorized as a certain type of obese.

So, when it comes to finding out does health insurance cover weight loss surgery? It depends on the insurance company, and it also depends on your own situation. There's a pretty good chance that even if you've had surgery in the past, your insurance company may be willing to fund this procedure again.

The first place to start is with your primary care doctor. He or she may have specific information available on what insurance plans may not cover the cost of gastric bypass surgery. Ask your doctor if you qualify. For most people, it's a simple matter of getting diagnosed again. If your doctor determines that you do qualify, then you should move on to explore financing options. If your doctor doesn't feel you're likely to meet the weight requirements for surgery, then financing options may also be available for you.

A second avenue of research is to contact a reputable weight loss surgery insurance company. There are a variety of different companies out there. Be sure you choose a company that has experience in dealing with people who are in similar situations as you. They should be able to provide you with an estimate of the cost of surgery and refer you to an appropriate insurance company for coverage.

Of course, you'll want to get quotes from a few different insurance companies before making a decision. While it's important to get several competing quotes so that you can compare the cost and the coverage of a particular insurance company, it's also important to know how much you can expect to pay in premiums. Keep in mind that even though a particular insurance company may offer surgery at a more affordable rate, they may also have higher than average rates for other reasons. You don't want to get a quote and then find out your premiums will be much higher than the costs of having surgery.

There are some things you can do to reduce the costs of surgery. Make sure you take all of your prior medical history into consideration when you apply for insurance. If you've been taking certain medications, talk with your insurance company about whether or not these will negatively affect your chances of getting the surgery. If you've had recent surgeries, you may be excluded from some surgeries. Your insurance company will also want to know information about any current medications you're taking, and may make changes to your policy. While you may think the premiums for United Healthcare Access' insurance is high, remember that many people find they can save hundreds of dollars by carefully shopping around.