lap band cost

flower · March 29, 2005

Hi I was just wondering for people who have insurance does the insurance pay for the fills after surgery or is that out of pocket I have blue cross blue sheild new england, and is also how many people are going to Mexico to get the lap band done do that many insurance companies not pay for the procedure.

Alexandra · March 29, 2005

Hi Flower,

Yes, the sad fact is that many insurers still exclude weight loss surgery, the band, or both. I think as time goes by more and more carriers will include it in their accepted treatments, but for now it's hit and miss. That's usually the reason people go to Mexico or other places for surgery.

As far as fills go, if your insurer covers the surgery they should also cover at least the first year of adjustments. Without proper adjustment the band simply won't work, so the fills are part and parcel of the treatment as a whole. There may be a point beyond which they will stop paying, but only time will tell us that.

wade64 · March 31, 2005

hi just wanted to say i have united health pos select and its going to cost me 50.00 every time i get a fill .so check with your insurance company wishing you the best.and i had my surgery done in texas