Insurance and Payment Options for Weight Loss Surgery

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For many people, weight loss surgery – Gastric Bypass, Lap Band or REALIZE Band - is an affordable health option because it is covered by their health insurance plan. These benefits usually cover the majority of the surgical costs, however there may be out-of-pocket expenses depending on the procedure and your insurance policy.  To avoid misunderstandings regarding your health benefits, we recommend you work with the New Jersey Bariatric Center’s insurance specialist to determine your exact coverage.  Our insurance specialist has a very high authorization success rate. We are able to work with many insurance companies to authorize and pay for most of the hospital charges and surgeon fees. Our preference is for you to use your insurance to avoid the significant hospital and other related costs.

Self Pay Options

However, insurance barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of your good health.  If your health insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of bariatric surgery, doesn’t authorize the procedures or if you don’t have health insurance, New Jersey Bariatric Center has a self-pay plan.  If you’re interested in the self-pay option, please contact our insurance specialist at 908-378-1779 Ext.3 to learn more about our fee structure and payment plan.
Whether you have health insurance or opt for self-pay, you will need to prepare detailed written documentation of your health and weight loss attempts. From diet history to co-morbid conditions, this information will come in handy when you are in the process of qualifying [both medically, and insurance-wise] for bariatric surgery.

Patient Financing Programs

Below are two patient financing options.  You should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each of the plans and carefully make the decision that is best for you. If you still have questions regarding these options you should seek advice from a financial professional.

Option #1
We participate with LAP-BAND® System Patient Finance Program -- a program that links LAP-BAND® System patients with CareCredit®, a GE Money company.  CareCredit may also be used for Realize Band or Gastric Bypass surgery.

CareCredit® works just like a credit card, but is exclusive for healthcare services. You can finance 100% of the procedure cost, insurance co-pay or deductible and you will receive notification of approval within minutes. You can be approved for a loan with monthly payments up to 84 months. Simply go to CareCredit.com for more details and to learn how to apply.

You should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options and carefully make the decision that is best for you. If you still have questions regarding these options you should seek advice from a financial professional.

Option #2
In  conjunction with the REALIZE Band, we also participate with the National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC) plan. Note that National City Corporation may also be used for Lap Band or Gastric Bypass surgery.

The Financing Program loans are arranged directly between you and National City. Loan applications can be completed at any time before your surgery, even before you have selected a bariatric surgeon. A Loan Consultant will personally guide you through the loan application process and answer any questions you might have.

To learn more about the Financing Program, please call 1-866-REALIZE, and leave your full name and telephone number.  Or, you can click here to submit an Invitation to Apply directly to a National City Loan Consultant.  All inquiries will receive a personal telephone call from a Loan Consultant before the close of the following business day.