Covering The Cost Of Lap Band Surgery [article from Articleranks]

Covering The Cost Of Lap Band Surgery

These days weight loss has become an obsession for many people. Celebrity diet plans appear daily on the covers of magazines in every language you can imagine and with readerships which run into many millions of people. Of course these covers are designed for one single purpose and that is to sell magazines. With the 24 hour news channels searching for something to fill time, there is at least one story on how America is the most obese country in the world and the diet most of us eat is slowly killing us. The talk shows have at least one person touting the benefits of weight loss surgery while the commercials playing during the show are for lawyers suing doctors over weight loss surgeries. against this background it is not surprising that the cost of lap banding has risen markedly in the past couple of years.

If you are obese then choosing to have weight loss surgery is a one-in-a-lifetime decision. But opting to have lap banding is also a financial decision. The lap band surgery cost can range from 10 to 25 thousand dollars for the surgery alone. Weighing the costs versus the benefits of the lap band procedure is one of the first steps every one considering the treatment must evaluate. The benefits can however be considerable and long-term and the higher quality of life you will enjoy may well make surgery more than worthwhile.

Aside from the costs directly related to the surgery, there are indirect costs as well. Having to miss work, additional child care, post hospital recovery time, ongoing nutritional guidance and counseling for underlying emotional issues are just a few of the indirect costs that may be involved. Once you add everything together you might be surprised to learn that the cost can easily top $25,000.

As long as your obesity has been medically diagnosed you will find that most insurers will meet claims for it, at least to some degree. You insurance company will look more favorably on any claim which is supported by the personal opinion of your physician on your need for lap banding. Before you commit to surgery you need to be sure just what cover your insurer will provide. Unplanned medical costs have been the financial ruin of many families. Eligibility for services, deductibles and counseling services usually differ greatly as do the length of time these services may be provided. Please understand these costs thoroughly and who is responsible for which charges.

With the rising incidence of lap band surgery a growing number of insurers are prepared to meet at least some of the costs of surgery. It is nevertheless vital that you understand your particular insurance plan and just what it does and does not cover you for. You will also need to know whether or not your reason for having surgery is sufficiently strong for cover to be effective. Many insurance companies will cover lap band surgery only if other medical conditions make it necessary.

Lap banding is on the rise because of the medical need for weight loss surgery and the success of lap band surgery. The effects of surgery can clearly be seen and it is not simply a case of losing weight but also of enjoying a much improved life style. Meeting the cost of lap band surgery will not seem quite so daunting once you have discussed your options with your surgeon and with your insurance company.

Read our growing selection of articles about obesity addressing many problems with obesity including such topics as lap band surgery cost and the relationship between obesity and takeaway food.

tags:obese,morbidly obese,overweight,fat,lap band surgery,lap banding,weight loss surgery,Health