Jump to content

Choose locationNot Set
  • Sign in or Register
    • I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
X Close Window

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Register
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Ways to Give
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Weight Loss Services
  • Is Bariatric Surgery Covered by Insurance
Content

Is Bariatric Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Most commercial (private or employer-provided) insurance plans approve all four typical weight loss surgical procedures — gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy,  gastric banding with LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® bands, or duodenal switch procedures — for the appropriate patients.

To receive approval, a patient usually needs to have a BMI (body mass index) above 40, or a BMI between 35 and 39 if the patient also has certain medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure. Some insurance companies have a mandatory three-month weight management protocol that you must complete before surgery. Some have a protocol as long as six months.

For all plans, dietary and psychological evaluations are mandatory. This is a practical step that helps ensure your readiness for the procedure.

Your medical team can work with you to help you meet the particular requirements of your health plan in order to qualify for insurance coverage.

Closeup of hand on calculator

Medicare and Medi-Cal

Medicare covers some bariatric surgical procedures if you meet certain conditions related to morbid obesity.  Recently, Medicare expanded its coverage to include vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Medi-Cal only covers the cost of surgery in certain California counties.

If you have Medicare, Medi-Cal, or Medicaid coverage, please be sure to find out what specific coverage is available to you by contacting your health plan.

Cosmetic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery

Many patients decide to have cosmetic surgery after bariatric surgery to remove excess skin.  In general, insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgeries, unless they are needed to resolve a medical issue, such as problems with your skin folds. It is important to explore these questions with your physician and your health plan. 

Related Content

  • Bariatric Services
  • Cosmetic Surgery After Bariatric Surgery
  • How to Choose a Bariatric Surgeon

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Benjamin D. Shadle, M.D.

Benjamin D. Shadle, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Lowell Albert Wetter, M.D.

Lowell Albert Wetter, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Beemen N. Khalil, M.D., M.S., FACS

Beemen N. Khalil, M.D., M.S., FACS

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Hrishikesh S. Nerkar, M.D.

Hrishikesh S. Nerkar, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Gregg H. Jossart, M.D., FACS, FASMBS

Gregg H. Jossart, M.D., FACS, FASMBS

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

John J. Feng, M.D., FACS

John J. Feng, M.D., FACS

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Gregory A. Broderick-Villa, M.D.

Gregory A. Broderick-Villa, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Steven C. Patching, M.D.

Steven C. Patching, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

Tarig Samarkandy, M.D.

Tarig Samarkandy, M.D.

  • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery

View All Related Doctors

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News Room
  • Ways to Give
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Flu Resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2019 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.