Paying For My Surgery
Weight loss can change your life and significantly improve your health. You may also find that dramatic weight loss can greatly reduce weight-related costs, which on average can be more than $15,000 a year! What better investment could you make in yourself and your future?
The vast majority of our patients pay for their surgery, there are a number of reasons, but the majority pay because it will avoid the inevitable delays of insurance companies. Or they have a policy exclusion to weight loss surgery. We announce a new partnership with Care Credit, a great firm that has teamed up with Allergan (the maker of the Lap-Band) to provide financing for qualified patients. We understand those who pay for the band out of their pocket want to find the best value for their weight loss, which is why our price includes more than just the operation.
We offer the latest in TOTAL CARE - that means:
(a) 13 months of follow up care in the office by Dr. Simpson - no co-pays or hidden fees. Visits done by the surgeon, not just a staff member. Adjustments are made by the surgeon, so you have a one-on-one relationship with the person who did your operation. Dr. Simpson has the most experience of any surgeon in the valley with adjustments, and works with you to adjust your band to achieve the effect that is needed. An adjustment is more than just a fill, but also a consultation to determine how well you are doing and to make the adjustment to fit your needs. The band is not just a piece of plastic, but a part of a holistic lifestyle change that is facilitated by the band. Some in the valley charge up to $500 per adjustment, but for our self-pay patients we include the first 13 months of those adjustments in our cash price.
(b) Lifetime membership to our support group. Our support group has been active for years in the valley. Dr. Simpson or his nutritionist attend over 95% of all support groups - so you can ask questions of the experts directly. Support groups are a great way to see how successful patients use their band. Our support group includes our featured holiday party at Phoenix Country Club.
(c) Personal email address of the surgeon. In today's world of medicine to get 24 hour access to the physician is something that only certain physicians offer to exclusive patients. We believe your best success is if you can ask your surgeon questions directly . This is how we run our practice.
Today many health plans cover the LAP-BAND® procedure and most if not of the costs will be paid for. Each health plan will have certain criteria that need to be met before you can actually have the surgery. Talk to your surgeon about health plans in your area that cover LAP-BAND® surgery. In some cases your insurance may not cover the LAP-BAND® procedure. This can be in the form of a "Denial" to what is called a Prior Authorization Request.
Following denial or when insurance coverage for the LAP-BAND® System procedure is not available, there are several alternatives that can be considered as viable payment options. These include lump sum payment and affordable patient financing.
Watch Our Short LAP-BAND® Movie
Affordability Calculator
Potential Tax Savings
Here are a few places we have worked with that finance our patients directly:
- Care Credit
1-800-859-9975 - http://www.carecredit.com
- Reliance
1-800-322-6377
http://www.reliancemedicalfinance.com
- Capital One
1-877-559-5050
www.capitalone.com/healthcarefinance
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The Affordability Calculator
Our calculator can help you determine your approximate current weight-related expenses. It will also calculate your approximate savings should you choose to finance your LAP-BAND® procedure.
Potential Tax Savings
In the year you finance your LAP-BAND® System procedure, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars back in potential tax savings. Think of this as a discount on your procedure. IRS Publication 502 states you can deduct only your medical and dental expenses when they total more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (see p. 2 of publication 502). Adjusted gross income is your total income less a few very specific deductions. Medical expenses may include fees paid to doctors, payments for hospital services, prescription drug costs, physician co-pays and the cost of participating in a weight-loss program for a specific disease, including obesity. Speak with your tax advisor or see IRS publication 502 for details.