Diet and Weight Loss Weight Loss Surgery

Affording Weight Loss Surgery

Until recently, Medicare covered only gastric bypass surgery. However, in February 2006, the program expanded its coverage to include open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. However, these surgeries are covered by Medicare only if performed in a hospital or by a practice that is judged by the Surgical Review Corporation to be a Center of Excellence, so be sure to verify that your surgeon is affiliated with one of these centers.

Working with a Surgeon

Weight loss surgery is major surgery. It’s important to feel comfortable with your surgeon and confident that he or she will address the many questions and concerns you will have.

Your surgeon should explain your options carefully and in a way you can completely understand. You may want to talk to several surgeons before you decide who will perform your operation.

Pick a surgeon who is board certified in general surgery and who is affiliated with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Members of ASMBS have extensive experience with weight loss surgery. The surgeon should be an expert in a particular type of surgery or should be able to offer more than one type of surgery, as the specific procedure you choose needs to be matched carefully to your needs.

A surgeon and his or her staff can also devise a lifelong weight loss treatment plan that fits with the coverage your health plan offers or that fits your budget. The costs of surgery and aftercare can be significant, especially if your insurance doesn’t cover weight loss treatment or leaves you with large out-of-pocket expenses. It’s good to have a surgeon who can help you prioritize your long-term treatment needs and figure out how to best use your financial resources.

Financing a Healthier Life

If your plan does not cover the cost of surgery and ongoing care, or pays for only part of the cost, you may choose to arrange financing; what better investment is there than putting your money to work protecting your health and well-being? Also, there can be tax advantages to personally paying for your treatment.

Many hospitals that have specialized weight loss surgical practices will make financing available to patients through arrangements with local banks. But there are other financing routes. Your financial advisor and surgeon can help you consider your options, which include home-equity loans and the various commercial institutions that have loan programs for medical expenses.

The Internal Revenue Service allows significant deductions for people who pay for weight loss surgery. You can deduct the amount of any medical expenses that are more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. The deduction applies to you, your spouse and any dependents in your family. Check with your accountant to find out exactly what portion of your expenses is deductible.

Better Quality of Life

Whether you have insurance, Medicare or are paying yourself, the money and effort you expend on weight loss treatments can provide a significant payback in the form of an improved quality of life. People with a real weight problem who achieve long-term weight loss experience many health improvements, including better sleep, lower blood pressure and better management of diabetes, to name just a few.

So don’t let the cost of weight loss surgery keep you from getting the help you need. There are options available for people in many different financial situations. Remember, weight loss surgeons and their staff are very knowledgeable about the payment options, so be sure to talk with them.

References
1. Klein S. Outcome success in obesity. Obes Res. 2001;9(suppl 4):S354-S358.
2. National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2004. Mercer Human Resource Consulting Web site. Available at: http://www.mercerHR.com/ushealthplansurvey. Accessed March 26, 2006.
3. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site. Medicare expands national coverage for bariatric surgery procedures. Available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1786.
Accessed March 27, 2006.
4. Columbia University Department of Surgery Web site. Surgical options: how to pick a surgeon. Available at: http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_how.html.
Accessed March 26, 2006.
5. Publication 502. Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury Web site. Available at: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#d0e237.
Accessed March 27, 2006.

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