Considering Leaving the Country For Your Bariatric Procedure?
The price of weight loss surgery outside the U.S. might be an attractive motivator in deciding who should perform your bariatric surgery. However, there are several things to think about if you’re considering having weight loss surgery out of the country.
- The bariatric surgical programs at our affiliated hospitals offer extremely high standards of care with special training for our unique patient population.
- You will likely lose weight over 12-36 months following surgery. The keys to success are proper follow up, adjustments, and YOUR COMMITMENT to lifestyle change.
- Many variables must be monitored to assure your healthy success with weight loss. The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana and Surgical Specialists offer nutritional counseling, gastric band adjustments (at no charge for one year), monthly support groups, and the experience to detect and treat possible complications.
Insurance Coverage Updates
As of April 9, 2010 Aetna has changed its position on reimbursement for the sleeve gastrectonomy and will now cover the procedure, This coverage will be the same as other bariatric surgery procedures covered by Aetna. Per the official Aetna coverage policy, “Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic sleeve gastectomy, open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic deversion (BPD) with or without duodenal witch (DS) or laparoscopic silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria are met.” (section criteria are detailed in the policy-0157). This policy has the potential to impact over 18 million livers covered by Aetna
As of February 1, 2011, Humana has changed its position on reimbursement for sleeve gastrectomy, and will now cover the procedure. This coverage will be for patients with a BMI greater than 50. This policy has the potential to impact Humana’s 10 million covered lives.
Optum Health Center of Excellence
Dr. Matt French, Dr. Buddy Leithead, Dr. Rachel Moore, Dr. Michael Thomas, Dr. Jimmy Redmann and Dr. Clark Warden have been approved bariatric surgeons for Optum Health Center of Excellence for United Health Care. Inclusion in this prestigious group means that each of these surgeons is nationally recognized for their high standards of care. Southern Surgical Hospital was designated the facility of choice to the Center of Excellence network.
