How do I Proceed?

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Fast Track to Surgery Program

At the Advanced Lap Band Center, our staff is committed to process each individual through the maze of requirements that will enable each person to have their LapBand surgery as quickly as possible.

We are on your side and want things to go as smoothly as possible and as quickly as possible!! Your obesity has been ongoing for many, many years. It is important to realize that the surgical evaluation, treatment and approval process is something that should not be taken lightly, not haphazardly.

There are two pathways in the Fast Track Program to get you to your surgery date ASAP.

1. Insurance Coverage

We will verify your coverage and benefits for weight loss surgery. Each insurance company and sometimes each plan within that company may be different in their requirements. For example, one plan may require a 3 month, 4 month, or even a 6 month medically supervised weight loss program; while another plan may just want records documenting a history of being overweight.

Some employers have written into their health plan that you must have a BMI of 40 and above, nothing less with NO exceptions! And, of course, some employers carve out an “exclusion” in the plan that eliminates weight loss surgery coverage altogether. Unfortunately, with an exclusion, we must move to the cash pay option (see below).

This is where our dedicated team of professionals analyzes your plan requirements and negotiates the obstacles and hurdles for you. This will take patience and understanding from all parties. In other words, do not “shoot the messenger”.

For instance, if your insurance provider requires a “medically supervised weight loss program”, we have established our diagnostic clinic whose sole purpose is to “cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s”, that your insurance plan mandates. We have found this provides the most efficient means of completing the requirements, submitting the package of paperwork and obtaining approval for your surgery in the most rapid manner. Yes, it can be that easy! It is what we do!!

2. The Cash Pay or Finance Option

This is for those without insurance or have an “exclusion” for weight loss surgery in their health plan or just want to proceed on with their surgery even more quickly. This is the fastest track to having your surgery since this path eliminates the insurance process. Your surgery can usually be scheduled within 1-2 weeks. Our staff will be able to counsel you regarding payment and finance options.

The following steps will guide you through the process of getting surgery approved and scheduled:

1. Insurance Verification: You should first verify that bariatric surgery (“Surgical treatment of morbid obesity when medically necessary”) is a covered benefit in your health insurance plan.

Please download and complete this form to help you understand your weight loss surgery benefits/coverage.

Insurance Benefit Worksheet

2. Attend a seminar or schedule a consultation:

Attend a free informational seminar, or make an appointment with the doctor.

3. Complete the below health questionnaire form: Please download and complete both forms below or fill them out during your initial office visit (if so, arrive early).

4. Obtain and forward pertinent medical records: This documents your history of obesity and co-morbidities.

Insurance Information for LAP-BAND® Surgery Approval.

At the initial physician consultation, the doctor will review your patient information with you and determine if further testing and/or other physician consultations are necessary. Also, you will see your surgeon again prior to surgery where pre and post operative instructions are discussed, consent forms will be reviewed, and further questions will be addressed.

A letter of medical necessity will be submitted to your health insurance provider to obtain authorization for surgery. This step may take up to one month or longer, depending on your insurance company.

For private pay, non-insured patients, please click here for cash payment and finance options.

Disclaimer: The health and medical information presented on this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical care.
This information does not constitute medical advice and does not create any physician-patient relationship.