Does United Health Care Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

Under the terms of United Healthcare and Medicare, "weight loss surgery" means weight-loss surgical treatment. If you are overweight or obese, your physician will evaluate your medical condition to determine if this treatment is necessary for your condition. A physician may also choose to perform the procedure without using a specialty code. Regardless of whether or not a specialty code is used, the treatment is covered by both Medicare and United Healthcare. To find out for sure if your insurance plan includes this treatment, call your local Medicare or Medicaid office.

There are several types of weight loss surgery. Hip-replacement surgery is commonly performed on patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. The hip is surgically replaced in order to restore the joint mobility that was lost due to obesity or diabetes. This type of surgery is often covered under Medicare or private insurance plans. However, it can be more expensive than other forms of surgery.

Another weight-loss procedure available through Medicare is called a gastric bypass. This procedure is used to remove stomach tissue that is considered to be excess. The stomach is then connected to the small portion of the small intestine, creating a "stomach pouch." Although this procedure may be covered by some private insurance plans, it usually will not be covered by Medicare.

The good news is that gastric bypass is now considered to be a permanent procedure. Prior to 2021, the procedure may have been considered a bariatric procedure, which means that it may not be covered by Medicare. Bariatric procedures are typically only performed on people with severe obesity who cannot eat normally or if their body mass index is 40 or higher. If a person loses more than twenty pounds through diet and exercise within two years, he or she may be eligible for bariatric surgery.

If you are diagnosed with obesity, you should see your primary care physician and ask about getting a referral to a surgeon. Many primary care physicians will encourage patients to consider weight-loss surgery, but some do not. Your doctor may explain the difference between being obese and being morbidly obese, which is a higher risk factor for complications. He may also review your medical history and explain the difference between having this procedure now and waiting until later. Some health insurance plans automatically include surgery under their health insurance policies.

If you decide to have the surgery, you may be referred to an endoscopic technician. This type of technician makes a small incision in your abdomen. The doctor uses a thin, flexible laparoscope to guide the instruments inside. You may feel some discomfort during the procedure, but after it is over, there will be no pain or scarring. After the surgery, you may need to take some time off of work to recover.

Many insurance companies offer a weight loss surgery option through their insurance plan. To find out what your specific insurance company offers, call your company's customer service number or visit their website. If your insurance company does not offer a surgery option, check with them about a payment plan. Most insurance companies provide weight loss surgery as a standard feature on their insurance policies. However, you should always shop around to compare prices and features so that you get the best deal possible.

If you are considering gastric bypass surgery, you should talk to your primary care doctor first to find out if it is a viable option for you. Your doctor can tell you whether the surgery will have side effects and how risky it is. You should also learn more about payment plans for the operation and how much out of pocket expenses you will be responsible for. Although insurance may cover some of the cost of the surgery, it is unlikely it will cover everything. You should budget for the cost of the procedure into your monthly expenses so that you do not spend more than you can afford.