Insurance

Will My Medical Insurance Pay for Surgery?

Insurance coverage is one of the biggest concerns among bariatric patients. The fact that your surgeon feels surgery is medically necessary and that you meet the surgical eligibility criteria does not automatically mean that your insurance company will pay for surgery. The surgical coverage benefit is primarily determined by the policy holder’s employer, not the insurance company.  Currently, bariatric coverage is an additional policy that an employer has to purchase on top of the regular health care policy.

Because insurance companies vary, some may only pay for a specific surgical procedure. The percentage of the total cost that the patient is responsible for paying will also vary depending on the insurance provider and employer. Even if you are in the initial stage of considering weight loss surgery, it may benefit you to know what to expect from your insurance company. We recommend all patients call their employer’s HR department or the info lines on the back of their insurance card. Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, LLC (OWLS) will run an initial benefit check once the application has been received.

Please call (503) 227-5050 or toll free 1-800-617-5004 to speak to our insurance coordinator or email: insurance@oregonweightlosssurgery.com.