Cost of Weight Loss Surgery, Insurance & Financing
Understanding what bariatric surgery costs, what insurance covers, and what to do if it does not.
Cost is one of the most common reasons people delay weight loss surgery, and often the reason they never start.
Most patients have some form of coverage, though what it includes varies widely by plan. Others use financing or self-pay. Below we explain what the procedure typically costs, how insurance coverage works, and what options exist if your plan does not include bariatric surgery.
Our team verifies benefits for patients across Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri every day. You do not have to work through it alone.
The Short Version
• Most insurance plans cover bariatric surgery when medical criteria are met, though requirements vary by plan.
• Arkansas law addresses coverage specifically. Act 628 affects many plans in the state.
• Approval usually requires documentation including medical records, a psychological evaluation, and a letter of medical necessity.
• If your plan does not cover surgery, we offer self-pay pricing and financing through several partners.
• We verify your benefits before treatment begins, so you know your costs in advance.
Does Insurance Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
Many plans do, when specific medical criteria are met. Coverage depends on your carrier, your employer’s plan, and your individual policy. Generally you will encounter one of three situations:
Coverage exists subject to medical criteria. We verify your specific requirements and handle the approval process.
The policy neither covers nor excludes surgery. The carrier must be contacted directly, and it is worth speaking with more than one representative.
Self-pay and financing options are available, and many patients proceed this way.
One detail worth knowing: obesity and morbid obesity are treated as separate conditions by many carriers. Some plans exclude treatment for obesity while covering treatment for morbid obesity. Be precise when describing your condition to your insurance company. If you are unsure which applies to you, we can help determine that.
How Much Does Weight Loss Surgery Cost?
The cost of bariatric surgery depends on the procedure, your insurance coverage, and your individual treatment plan. For patients using insurance, out-of-pocket cost is determined by your deductible, copay, and coinsurance. For self-pay patients, we provide a written estimate before you commit to anything.
A self-pay estimate includes hospital charges, the surgeon’s fee, surgical assistant fee, anesthesia, pathology, and routine imaging related to surgery.
It does not include pre-procedure office visits, post-procedure office visits, diagnostic testing, care for unrelated conditions, or services required as a result of a complication.
The Insurance Approval Process
Once you schedule a consultation, our team verifies your benefits and explains what your plan requires. Most carriers ask for some combination of:
- Medical records covering your history of surgeries, conditions, and medications
- A psychological evaluation assessing readiness for surgery and the changes that follow
- A letter of medical necessity from your primary care physician
- Documentation of prior weight loss attempts, which some plans require
Timelines vary. Some approvals come through quickly; others require additional documentation or a supervised program first. We manage the paperwork and keep you updated throughout.
Copay, Coinsurance, and Payment
Out-of-pocket costs depend on your policy. Our financial counselor reviews your plan terms and estimates your coinsurance before surgery is scheduled. Copay and coinsurance are due 10 to 14 days before your scheduled surgery date and must be paid in full prior to the procedure. We accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and cashier’s check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Financing Options
If your plan does not cover surgery, or covers only part of it, we work with several financing partners so you can spread the cost over time.
- Cherry, offering monthly payment plans with a straightforward application
- CareCredit, healthcare financing accepted nationwide
- Prosper, healthcare lending for qualified applicants
- Arvest Bank, consumer lending through a regional Arkansas bank
- First Horizon, consumer lending options
Our financial team can walk through each option and help you determine which fits your situation.
However, many have begun offering coverage, and it’s important to contact the company and verify whether or not you have weight loss surgery financing coverage, and whether that coverage applies to surgery at Roller Weight Loss & Advanced Surgery.
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Roller Weight Loss has partnered with Care Credit to provide financing options to cover the costs for your procedure.
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Get Treated Now. Pay Monthly. Let your money go further when you pay in installments with Cherry Payment Plans.
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What If My Insurance Denies Coverage?
A denial is not always final. Many are overturned on appeal, and many result from missing documentation rather than a true exclusion.
If your claim is denied, our team reviews the stated reason, identifies whether additional documentation would change the outcome, and helps you understand your options for appeal. If your plan genuinely excludes bariatric surgery, we will walk through self-pay and financing so you can move forward on a different path.
Insurance Coverage for Arkansas Patients
Arkansas Act 628 addresses weight loss surgery coverage for certain plans in the state. If you are an Arkansas resident, it may affect whether your policy includes bariatric benefits. We have a full explanation of what the law covers and who it applies to.
We also work with patients throughout Oklahoma and Missouri, and many large employers include bariatric coverage in their plans.
The Long-Term Value
For many patients, bariatric surgery reduces or eliminates ongoing costs tied to obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes medication, CPAP supplies, and blood pressure treatment.
It is worth weighing the cost of surgery against what you are already spending each month, and expect to keep spending, on managing those conditions.
FAQs
How long does insurance approval take?
What if my insurance denies coverage?
Can I finance weight loss surgery?
Is bariatric surgery covered by insurance in Arkansas?
What are the insurance codes for bariatric surgery?
How long does insurance approval take?
It varies by carrier. Some approvals come through in a few weeks; others require additional documentation or a supervised program first, which extends the timeline. Our team manages the paperwork and keeps you updated.
What if my insurance denies coverage?
Denials are often reversible, particularly when they result from missing documentation. We review the reason, help pursue an appeal where appropriate, and discuss self-pay and financing if your plan truly excludes the procedure.
Can I finance weight loss surgery?
Yes. We work with several financing partners offering monthly payment plans for qualified applicants, including options through a regional Arkansas bank.
Is bariatric surgery covered by insurance in Arkansas?
Many Arkansas plans include coverage, and state law addresses it specifically through Act 628. Requirements vary by plan, and we verify your benefits before treatment begins.
What are the insurance codes for bariatric surgery?
The code for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is 43644, and laparoscopic gastric banding is 43770. Your carrier may ask for these when you call to verify benefits.
Find Out What Your Plan Covers
The fastest way to understand your costs is to let our team verify your benefits. There is no obligation, and you will know where you stand before making any decisions.