Weight Loss Surgery Financing

With obesity increasing in numbers, weight loss surgery financing is going far beyond the medical, financial, and administrative bailiwick of many physicians. Physicians are in the "business" of treating patients for various illnesses and conditions. Not many treasure the idea of having to justify the needs of their patients to an insurance company. Though there are diverse reasons and explanations for the increase in obesity, those reasons don't solve the problem. The complications associated with obesity have resulted in greater demands on physicians and on their patients to get these procedures done. Insurance companies don't necessarily see it that way. Doctors are finding themselves immersed in a lot of unwanted and unwelcome administrative duties, because many insurance companies do not cover bariatric surgery for the purpose of weight loss. Without weight loss surgery financing, surgeons must sufficiently argue (through documentation) that the financial burden to the insurance company would be lightened if payment for the procedure is garnered. When the physician runs out of options and the claim is flatly denied, it is up to the patient to pay for their own procedure.

Many people faced with this decision simply cannot write a check and hand it to the doctor. Because obesity, in and of itself, may not be considered a medical condition by insurance companies, weight loss surgery financing is becoming the sole choice of patients in order to pay for these high dollar measures. Its surging prevalence has reached almost epidemic proportions. The risks associated with being obese are many and varied. Diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea have all been associated with significant increases in weight. Of course, that holds true for obesity as well. Some patients have sought bariatric surgery to solve their weight loss issues. The market for bariatric surgical apparatus and weight loss treatment medications now exceeds $1 billion worldwide. These markets are growing by more than 25% every year. Bariatric surgery is a procedure that is more effective than weight loss therapies. Surgical patients lose approximately 20% of their body weight, while people who submit themselves to medical therapies only lose about 2%. So, it makes sense for people to seek out these types of procedures because of their effectiveness.

There are a great number of companies chomping at the bit to offer a person weight loss surgery financing. There are companies whose sole purpose for existence is that they broker and process loans for medical or dental procedures. Though not direct lenders; there are some companies that offer rates starting at 0% interest. By working through the physician's office to provide patient procedure financing, their marketing costs are reduced. Some of these types of companies offer 100% pay-outs. There are no sign up fees, no monthly fees, and no contracts. In fact, procedure are paid for in advance. Two additional benefits that at least one of these such companies has, is adoption as well as funeral coverage. Other companies that offer financing of medical procedures work with doctors and directly with patients, too. In cases where they are a direct lender, the opportunity for more personalized service and integrity exists. Though rates begin higher, at 6.9%, the rates are still lower than on a typical credit card. These companies tend to be flexible and allow affordable terms. As direct lenders, instant decisions are usually available. Some weight loss surgery financing is ready in 24 hours or less. Usually, doctors will not need to pay sign up fees, application fees, or monthly fees.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13) Then, there are those who work directly with patients instead of working through the physician's office. These companies' services are more in line with that of a traditional finance companies. However, even if a person has been turned down in the past for weight loss surgery financing by other, more traditional financing, this type of company may still be able to help. Interest rates depend upon a person's credit score and bill payment history. One feature of medical finance that is usually not present with traditional short term personal loans is that these companies are more likely to offer a rebate on all interest paid, when accounts are paid-in-full within the first 12 months. In addition to term loans, a revolving line of credit could be made available; in some cases.

Besides all of the loan type options, there is at least one company that offers a health care credit card that can be used for weight loss surgery financing. Like other types of credit cards, a person applies for the card once and is able to use the card over and over again. There are cards endorsed by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, as well as dozens of dental, cosmetic surgery, and eye care associations and societies, as well as a number of veterinarian groups. Unlike many traditional credit cards available these days, there are solutions that offer a "No Interest if Paid Within Promotional Period," for each covered event. That means the payment on the card is dependent upon the event it is covering. Although a minimum monthly payment will be required, under this type of promotion, finance charges will not be assessed on the initial purchase (financing) of each particular event. For example, a person has a $2,500 procedure to be paid in 12 months. Then, another procedure is done at a cost of $12,000 for a period of 18 months. Each of these procedures, if paid off within the specified period will be interest free. These terms apply to promotional purchases as long as the full balance is paid within the promotional period (3,6,9,12, or 18 months) as well as not neglecting the minimum monthly payments. Failure to meet both of these conditions cancels out promotional terms on weight loss surgery financing and regular finance interest rates will be applied.

Weight Loss Surgery Insurance

More than ever, weight loss surgery insurance is needed because obesity is on the rise, there are recognized health costs associated with obesity, and these procedures are very expensive. Approximately 65% of Americans are either overweight or obese. There are many different ways to determine who is overweight. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently define overweight in terms of the the body mass index (BMI). The body mass index is a person's weight (measured in kilograms) divided by their height (measured in meters squared). According to these standards, an adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and an adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. For children and teens, overweight is any child in the 85th to less than the 95th percentile and obese is equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for the standard height and weight measured used by doctors. Whether a person is considered overweight or obese, weight loss surgery insurance may be needed to pay for the therapy or procedures to correct the problem.

Americans already spend more than $30 billion each year to lose weight. That is in addition to weight loss surgery insurance. This fact motivates marketers of weight-loss programs and products to seize every opportunity to sell to desperate dieters. Yet, obesity continues to be one of society's biggest ills. Although it's true that obesity tends to run in families, its not necessarily at the cellular level. It may, in fact, be because of things like fast food, eating high-calorie snacks and beverages with little or no nutritional value, consuming larger portions of food than our bodies need, and not engaging in the physical activity that all bodies need to maintain health. For some reason, people have gotten into the mindset that buying things just because a person can see them or hear about them is okay. This attitude is pervasive in all types of consumption behavior. But it is a major problem when it grips our eating attitudes. Although we can, we should not eat just because we like a certain food or drink something because it tastes good. Of course, tastes and preferences are important. But, when these habits lead to over-consumption, the danger of health risks are very serious.

There are some people with a genetic tendency to gain weight more easily than others because these people burn calories more slowly. In historical times, when food was scarce, it was a real advantage to have an slow metabolism. But, this survival mechanism works to our disadvantage these days. An increase for the need of weight loss surgery insurance, has thus been increased. Some research has shown that even a slow metabolism can be increased with the consumption of the "right foods" for a person's blood type. Most people like the idea of expedience, however. These people would rather take the "easy way out." That is to say, have surgery and get it over with. Thankfully, there is weight loss surgery insurance. Although the coverages for these surgeries vary from company to company, the coverages all have the commonality of taking some of the financial pressure off of the patient. The guidelines each company uses to grant eligibility may include a diagnosis of obesity from a qualified medical professional, documented proof of previous attempts to lose weight using other methods, a letter of medical necessity, a nutritional consultation, lab tests, and even a psychological examination.

If for any reason the coverage doesn't include weight loss surgery insurance, it is possible that the person can win an approval if they can prove that the surgery is an effective treatment for another covered medical condition like; type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart disease. Because these conditions are routinely covered by most medical insurances, a savvy surgeon may be able to make a case sufficiently acceptable to do the procedure. Insurance companies are in the business of making money. The financial feasibility test would be met when the physician can show that the long term cost savings of the surgery outweigh the long-term care costs associated with treating the patient for the rest of their lives on a regular basis. Before a person begins the processes and procedures with the doctor, a prudent person would research the conditions under which weight loss surgery insurance coverage would become effective. That way when they get to their doctors office, they can intelligently explain what is and is not available. The physician will be more prepared to work-up a sellable case for the insurance carrier. And the time that it takes to get all the approvals through the system and schedule the procedure are reduced.

In our increasingly obese society, no one can say when the pendulum will swing in the other direction. "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans1:29-32) But, generally, societal weight fluctuates over time. At some times during history, pleasingly plump was all the rage. At other times, stick-thin was in. Most people do not swing to one end or the other; but tend to stay in a middle ground. However, because of the extreme commercialism of the fast food industry, increasing appetites for convenience, and a societal tendency toward gluttony; this trend is likely to be around in the foreseeable future. Weight loss surgery insurance, as a industry, is liable to continue to grow. More and more claims will be filed. And the rules and regulations will become more relaxed over time.

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