The Process for Insurance and Self-Pay Patients
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1. First, you will be required to attend a NEW PATIENT EDUCATION SESSION on bariatric surgery, presented weekly by a Program Surgeon.. During this 90 minute+ session, the risks, benefits, and lifestyle requirements of all types of bariatric surgery will be presented. Ample time is provided for questions to be answered by the surgeon. If you decide not to pursue bariatric surgery after this session, you will not be billed for any service. As part of our YOU FIRST philosophy, we schedule both this required seminar and your consult on the same day, saving you time.
   THIS SESSION MUST BE SCHEDULED BY CALLING 1-888-744-4898 AND REGISTERING.
   
   
   The Road to Bariatric Surgery
   
2. After the EDUCATION SESSION, and usually on the same day (unless you request to come back another time) you will have been scheduled ahead of time for a one-on-one CONSULT with the surgeon. Your consult must be scheduled through our registration number (1-888-744-4898) or by email through this website, as material will be mailed to you in advance, that will require your completion before you can visit the surgeon. At the CONSULT, the surgeon will go over your medical, diet, and other pertinent histories and will answer any specific questions you may have.
3. Once you have had your CONSULT with a surgeon, he wiill make a decision with you whether you are a candidate for bariatric surgery AND what type of bariatric surgery would be right for you, pending the outcome of your NUTRITION and PSYCH EVALS. Please note: When you see the surgeon in one-on-one consult, your insurance will be billed for this service. Self pay patients will also be billed for the consult IF they do not proceed with lap band or gastric bypass surgery at the hospital and with the surgeon with which they have consulted.
   

   IF ANYWHERE ALONG YOUR ROAD TO BARIATRIC SURGERY, YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR FEEL YOUR CASE NEEDS ATTENTION.... We're here. One of the unique and helpful features of this program is the Patient Liaison function that you have through independently contacting us at this site. Call us at 1-888-744-4898, or better yet, email us at info@rightweigh.com and we'll attend to your question or your account right away, and get back to you.

4. Program requirements for all patients (insurance or self-pay) require evaluations and clearances by a program nutritionist and psychologist. Sometimes, these evaluations can be scheduled the same day as your EDUCATION SESSION and CONSULT. Specifically request this if you are coming from a far distance. YOU WILL BE CHARGED NO UPFRONT PROGRAM OR OTHER FEES FOR YOUR NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION. If you have insurance, it will be billed, and the hospital will accept whatever payment they receive.
5. If you are self-paying for your bariatric surgery, once the surgeon approves you for surgery, you will directly proceed to the MEDICAL CLEARANCES phase. If you have funds already (we work with Medical Loan companies, as well...if you need info, call or email us), your surgery can be scheduled as soon as 30-45 days after your consult, providing you keep the appointments set for your medical clearances (required for all patients)
6. After your consult, if you have insurance coverage, your insurance company will be contacted and we will prepare and submit the MEDICAL NECESSITY case to them, requesting their written approval for your surgery. Will my insurance cover this procedure? Click here for more info
7. The Program Office will call you once we have heard from your insurance. Frequently, insurance companies will request additional information, which you will need to provide. What is needed will be explained to you, and it will be your responsibility to gather the documentation and return it to your surgeon's office. Once an insurance requests info from you, they will not approve your surgery until you provide it. Obtain the info (we can help identify what you need to do), then send the info to us and let us submit to your insurance for you.
8. If you are APPROVED for surgery, the Surgeon's Office will call and schedule your surgery date and the medical clearance tests which you must complete.
9. Once approved for surgery, or once self pay funds for the surgery are received, the Surgeon's Office will schedule the MEDICAL CLEARANCE TESTS you must have prior to surgery. This is standard protocol for ALL bariatric surgeries. These tests are for your safety. Standard lab tests, pulmonology clearances, and cardiology clearances are typically required for all patients. PLEASE NOTE: Some bariatric programs require these clearances to be done before you have been in consult with the surgeon, or before your information is submitted to your insurance company. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS. Whether or not you have surgery with surgeons on this website, don't incur additional unnecessary expense and medical procedures, until AFTER you receive insurance company approval for surgery.
10. Once your medical clearances are received and all is well, surgery will be scheduled, and you will be ON THE ROAD to a NEW YOU.
    
    To recap, please note:
    ALL PATIENTS SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY MUST HAVE FIRST COMPLETED, AND THE SURGEON'S OFFICE MUST HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON:
    
    Nutritional consult and clearance provided by the Program Registered Dietitian;
    
    Psychological evaluation and clearance provided by a licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
    
    All other medical or other clearances requested by Surgeon
    
11. After surgery, be sure to keep all your follow-up appointments with your surgeon, and attend monthly support groups.
12. And, always call your Surgeon's Office if you have any questions, or if something doesn't "seem right."

We invite any questions or comments. Call toll-free to 1-888-744-4898 or email info@rightweigh.com