Call your insurance company
Call the benefits coordinator at your human resource office and/or call the customer service line on your insurance card. State "I am inquiring about my policy benefits regarding the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Is surgery for morbid obesity a covered benefit?" If they say no, there are two choices:
Once you are denied by your insurance, you may hire an attorney to help you prove that it is medically necessary. We recommend you contact Walter Lindstrom at www.obesitylaw.com. Self pay. Please feel free to contact us for further information on financing options that may be available to you.
You may use the list below to help you ask all the questions and to document the answers received from your insurance company.
Telephone number and extension called: ____________________________
Contact name: __________________________________________ Is surgery for morbid obesity a covered benefit? YES / NO Is the CPT code 43770 for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding covered? YES / NO Do you have a policy on surgery for morbid obesity that I can obtain? YES / NO What information do you require before authorizing the surgery? Nutrition consult? YES / NO Psychological consult? YES / NO Medical clearance from a physician? YES / NO Letter from surgeon? YES / NO Documentation of weight loss attempts? YES / NO Documentation of length of obesity? YES / NO Medically supervised weight loss program? YES / NO Is a medically supervised weight loss program required prior to approval? If yes, how long? Am I required to see a contracted provider or can I go out of network? Remember to get the full name and direct extension of the person you talked to.
Call and speak with one of our highly trained weight loss surgery insurance experts
Our insurance coordinators will be happy to walk you through the insurance authorization process. Once you have contacted your insurance company and determined your benefits, please call and speak with one of our insurance coordinators. 866-350-2263
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