Financial support and insurance information.
Insurance coverage for our services will depend on your carrier and type of coverage. Please speak with your insurance company about what type of bariatric coverage you have. If you would like to discuss costs associated with weight-loss surgery and/or other services, please call us at 912-720-9010.
Insurance Process
It is critical that you contact your insurance company to verify that your plan provides coverage for bariatric surgery and, if so, the required criteria for approval.
Step 1
Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Tell the customer service representative that you are interested in bariatric surgery, and ask if the service is covered under your plan. They may ask you for the procedure codes. Our surgeons perform the following bariatric procedures:
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: CPT 43644
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: CPT 43775
Step 2
If your insurance company states that surgery is covered, or that it must be deemed “medically necessary,” please ask the customer service representative the following questions:
- What are the BMI requirements for surgery?
- Do I have to have medical conditions (comorbidities) related to my weight to qualify?
*Please note that if your BMI is 35-39.9 and you do not have a comorbid condition, you likely will not qualify for bariatric surgery. - Do I have to complete a consecutive supervised diet, and if so, for how long? (how many visits)
- Does it need to be physician-supervised, or can it be through a registered dietitian or a commercial weight-loss program?
- Do I need to see a registered dietitian for an individual (one-on-one) nutritional evaluation?
- Can you provide me with a checklist stating the requirements for bariatric surgery?
Step 3
If you are told that the service is not covered or is excluded, this means that your employer did not add this benefit to the insurance plan. Call our office to obtain self-pay information. You may also want to speak with your company’s HR department to ask if they will consider adding coverage for bariatric surgery or make an exception for you.
- Not all insurance plans cover bariatric surgery, however, we offer several self-pay options. For more information, please call (912) 720-9010.
Take the First Step
The hardest part of most journeys is taking the first step. Your weight-loss journey won’t be without challenge, but it can be without regret. Find resources here to help you get started.
Am I a Candidate?
Weight-loss surgery is not for everyone. Health evaluations will help determine if you are a candidate.
Getting Started
Learn how to get started on your weight-loss journey and if surgical treatment is right for you.
Attend a Seminar
Deciding to have weight-loss surgery can be life changing. Attend a free, informational seminar to learn more.