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Gastric Lap-Band Insurance
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This is a partial list of insurance companies that are known to either partially or fully cover the Lap-Band® System surgery (as of 12/08). This is for informational purposes only and does NOT guarantee you'll be covered.
- Aetna
- American Family Insurance
- Blue Cross (in many states)
- Cigna First Health
- Health Net
- Humana
- One Health
- United Health Care
If you don't see the name of your insurance company on this list, it doesn't mean you're not covered. Read more on gastric lap band insurance to learn how to proceed.
Gastric Lap-Band Insurance: Medicare and Medicaid
As of 2/06 Medicare and Medicaid will cover the Lap-Band® System procedure as long as you meet the normal criteria for surgery:
- Your BMI is 40 or greater
- Your BMI is 35 or greater and you have at least 1 weight related health condition (called "comorbidity") such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, reflux, heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, joint problems, etc.
- You are at least 100 pounds over your estimated ideal weight according to standard charts
- You've tried (and exhausted) traditional methods of weight loss including diet, exercise and behavior modification.
Read more details on the criteria.
However, Medicare requires the surgery be performed at either an :
- ASMBS (American Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery) accredited Center for Excellence OR
- ACS (American College or Surgeons) Level 1 Bariatric Surgery Program
Click here to locate a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. As of April 2008, only 335 hospitals can call themselves such.
NOTE: You may have to travel across the state if you live in a small town or city to find an accredited hospital. I live in Tucson, AZ, and weight loss surgery patients here have to travel to Phoenix to find an ASMBS accredited Center for Excellence (as of 12/08).
Don't forget to factor in this cost of traveling when considering your weight loss surgery. Also remember, you'll need to have multiple, regular gastric lap-band fills so remember to factor in those travel costs too!
Read more about gastric lap-band insurance and what you'll need to submit in order to assure you're approved.
