Medicare provides coverage for specific weight loss surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and laparoscopic banding when you fulfill criteria pertaining to extreme obesity. However, Medicare does not provide coverage for the expenses associated with transport to a weight loss surgery facility.
Your out-of-pocket expenses with Original Medicare
The financial implications of surgical interventions or related procedures can be challenging to estimate beforehand. Without consultation with your healthcare provider, it’s uncertain which services will be necessary. If you are considering obesity surgery, you may be able to project your financial responsibilities through various means.
The following methods can aid in estimating your surgical costs:
* Inquire with the physician, hospital, or medical center regarding the expected expenses for the surgery and subsequent care.
* For outpatient procedures, the choice rests between utilising an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital’s outpatient department.
* The amount you’ll be charged can vary significantly depending on whether you are admitted as an inpatient or treated as an outpatient.
* Examine the benefits of any supplementary insurance you possess to discern how much it will contribute. Those enrolled in a Medicare health plan should reach out to their provider for detailed information.
Additional insurance options may encompass:
– Benefits through your or your partner’s place of employment
– Medicaid
– A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy
Your healthcare professional might suggest services more frequently than what Medicare standardly covers, or they might advise treatments not covered by Medicare. In these instances, you could be responsible for covering the entire cost or a portion of it. It’s essential to pose questions to comprehend the rationale behind your doctor’s recommendations, and to learn if—and to what extent—Medicare will fund them.
