Lap band Insurance Coverage

In a time when more and more people need health insurance, more and more insurance companies are making it harder to qualify, and more expensive to be a member. There are even procedures that insurance companies are reluctant to cover—procedures that would greatly reduce insurance costs over time. Weighing the lap band against medical costs associated with obesity can shed some light on why it’s financially worth it for you to stay healthy.

Most people who are obese should not worry about the cost of lap band. For many, the cost of being obese, and treating diseases directly related to obesity, greatly outweighs the cost of the surgery. According to a 2007 study by the American Diabetes Association, a person with diabetes can spend an average of $6,649 per year on medical treatment directly related to the disease. Most out-of-pocket lap band procedures can run around $12,000. Remission of diabetes can occur from losing excess weight and leading a healthier life. Because of this, it is estimated that the cost of the lap band for patients with diabetes, can pay for itself within a few years, thus ending the dependency on medications.

If a patient has insurance, the Blue Cross and United Healthcare lap band requirements are very similar. A person must have a Body Mass Index (or BMI) of 40 or higher, or 30 or higher if the patient has a condition directly related to obesity (like diabetes). The patient must have tried to lose weight through other methods over the course of a few years and must document your weight history for the last 5 years.
Consult with a lap band doctor to see if you qualify for the procedure. To see if your insurance covers the lap band procedure, visit http://www.lovelapband.com.