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Does Medicaid Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

Surgery to help people lose weight can be necessary in some situations. Obesity management is not simple. Additionally, there may be instances where it spirals out of control. Surgery is the only treatment option for an individual’s overall health.

When compared to other insurance plans, medicaid coverage has a few slightly different restrictions for weight reduction surgery coverage.

Typically, Medicaid is distinct in who it covers and how it covers patients, which explains why. In order to be eligible for weight reduction surgery through Medicaid. You must fulfill a number of particular requirements and be free from any health conditions. That would prevent you from having gastric sleeve surgery.

If these problems are resolved, you qualify for weight loss surgeries under the weight loss category.

If you’re wondering if you can get your wisdom teeth pulled for free without insurance, the answer is yes. Many families with little resources can receive free wisdom tooth extractions. The cost of your wisdom teeth removal is almost covered by Medicaid. You can request this from the oral surgeons in your area.

Also read here about Free Dental Implants For Recovering Addicts.

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Weight Loss Procedures Covered By Medicaid

Most of the time, medicaid cover bariatric surgery, gastric sleeve, and bypass surgery. These are among the most frequently advised surgeries and are not just easily converted by Medicaid. These are occasionally acknowledged as being medically essential to a person’s life and wellbeing.

Criteria for Coverage of Surgery Costs

You must fulfill the conditions below in order for Medicaid weight loss program to pay for your operation and the related doctor appointments.

Does medicaid pay for weight loss surgery

  • More than 13 years old for females and 15 years old for males.
  • BMI must be greater than 35 and have at least one concomitant condition.
  • You must possess a written recommendation for weight loss surgery from your primary care physician.
  • You must pass a mental health examination demonstrating your ability to make the lifestyle modifications required for weight loss or healthy weight.
  • You must be able to produce paperwork proving that you’ve attempted using regular treatment. To manage your weight and comorbidities but that those efforts have failed.
  • You must successfully finish a 6-month weight-loss program under medical supervision and provide proof. That you tried the program within the 12 months prior to surgery.

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Which Other Medicaid Considerations Are Required?

Your weight reduction surgery must be performed in a facility with the Bariatric Center for Excellence accreditation. In order for Medicaid to cover the cost. This certification is intended to show you which hospitals Medicaid has approved for use in weight reduction surgery.

To ensure that you receive the best care possible, Medicaid mandates that you check into one of these institutions. You can have a variety of operations to lose weight, but Medicaid only covers the most typical ones.

Consider a situation where you require a different type of bariatric surgery than the lap band revision, gastric sleeve, or bypass. You will then need to find a different insurance company or pay for the procedure out of your own money.

What Is the Medicaid Weight Loss Surgery Approval Process?

You should ask your doctor if weight reduction surgery is covered by Medicaid in the state you are from. It is crucial to have a doctor who can provide crucial information regarding the patient’s medical need for weight loss surgery. A doctor may also suggest the patient to authorized surgeons.

Licensed surgeons assist you in comprehending the fundamentals of the procedure and your options. You must first undergo a number of tests before seeing the Medicaid office to have your procedure pre-approved. It may take some time, therefore patience is needed.

The likelihood is that Medicaid will approve your request if you make all the necessary arrangements. Then, these requirements can call for extra classes or tests.

Your surgeon must assess whether you are fit to get the treatment once Medicaid has given its clearance. This covers medical testing, X-rays, and preparation. Finally, the procedure is successful.

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Procedures For Weight Loss That Medicare Will Pay

Three procedures that all reduce stomach size are covered by Medicare. Additionally, two of the treatments modify the small intestine.

These are the steps :

  • Open And Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric Bypass : In this procedure, a pouch is created by stapling the stomach, drastically reducing its size, and joining it to a section of the small intestine. Through this two-step process, one consumes and absorbs less food.
  • Open And Laparoscopic Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch : This option entails two distinct operations. In the first technique, a portion of the stomach is removed. But in the second, food is redirected to avoid the majority of the small intestine. More weight is lost as a result of this process.
  • Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding : A band is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach during this procedure, resulting in a little stomach pouch. Inside the band is a balloon filled with salt water. A port located under a person’s skin allows a surgeon to remove or inject a solution to change the pouch’s size.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover weight loss surgery?

Medicare will only pay for weight loss surgery in cases. When the patient has a body mass index (BMI) that is far above the normal range for obesity. They must also have a history of unsuccessful attempts to address their obesity. As well as at least one disease associated with the condition.

Does Medicaid cover weight loss pills?

The cost of weight loss therapies, education, and counseling intended to promote healthy eating and exercise will be covered by some state Medicaid programmes. Medicaid may in some cases pay for prescriptions for weight loss tablets. As well as drugs for conditions like diabetes and heart disease that are frequently prescribed to obese patients.

How long does it take an insurance company to approve a weight loss procedure?

The time it takes for insurance approval varies? Depending on your insurance company, this could take a week to six days. If no medical records are located, the processes might be sped up.

Will Medicaid cover the cost of my surgery?

You must fulfill the conditions below in order for Medicaid to pay for your operation and the related doctor appointments. more than 13 years old for females and 15 years old for males.

About Author
Allie Rosenberg is a writer and editor in Low Income Families. She is used to work as a Community Health Worker and Health Insurance Navigator. She continues to follow her passion for connecting people with the healthcare they need by writing informative content about dentistry and medicine.

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