An Investment Worth Considering: The Lap Band is More Affordable Than You Think
When I was considering Lap Band surgery, one of my biggest worries was can I afford it?
Ultimately only you know your finances and can answer that question. But the good news is that there are many payment options that can help you work it into your monthly budget.
In my case, I found that I actually saved money after having the procedure! My grocery bill has never been better! And I can only imagine what I’ve saved in medical bills that I might have been paying if I was still at an unhealthy weight. Not to mention the money I might have spent on another diet plan. And another. And another.
Because of the health benefits of the Lap Band, most major insurance companies now cover the cost of the procedure. You’ll cost them a whole lot less in the long run with the surgery then without. In addition to losing weight, most people see improvements in blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, sleep apnea and other conditions that cost the insurance industry a lot of money.
In fact, about 68 percent of patients we see at True Results have health insurance that pays for the Lap Band.
The key lies in knowing how to talk the insurance companies’ language. And you know how tricky that can be! In all seriousness, turn to your Lap Band Advocate to help you with this, because we do it day in and day out. We know what questions to ask, the right procedure numbers to use and other tricks of the trade to get your approval through as quickly as possible.
Now, insurance isn’t going to work for everyone. But don’t be discouraged. I was one of these people, and I was still able to afford lap band surgery. There are a couple ways you can do this. Some people do pay cash for the Lap Band, but that doesn’t necessarily mean writing a check outright. I’ve seen people use Flexible Spending Account money from their job’s health plan, put it on a credit card or even use a tax refund.
The other option is financing – and this is what I did. True Results works with a company called CareCredit that provides low-interest financing specifically for heath care expenses. Their terms range anywhere from 6 months to 5 years. You can get your payments as low as a couple hundred dollars a month.
Believe me, you’re bound to save at least that much a month on your grocery bill. Plus here’s a startling statistic: obesity can inflate your health care costs by more than a third and your medication costs by 77 percent!
Bottom line (no pun intended), I always tell people to look at this as an investment. It’s really not whether you can afford to lose the weight; it’s more a question of if you can afford not to. Eight years later and still 90 pounds lighter, I can tell you it was worth every penny to me.
If you want to find out if insurance or financing are options for you, you can start that process right now with our insurance verification tool. And shoot me your questions in the comments. I help people figure out the financial side of lap band surgery every day, so don’t sit there wondering if you can afford it – we’re here to help!
A Look at What Foods I Eat on My Lap Band Diet
Being active when you’re trying to lose weight doesn’t have to mean running a marathon, pumping iron or taking aerobics every day. But to get started, put on your fuzzy slippers.
If you’re struggling with your weight, there’s a good chance you are at risk for or already experiencing high blood pressure. Here's what you need to know about hypertension & weight loss surgery.