Weight Loss Surgery – Insurance Coverage Criteria

The list below is organized by insurance company.

We include the following important information for each insurance company listed:

• Which weight loss surgeries are covered.
• Required criteria before gastric bypass, Lap Band or other procedures are approved for coverage.
• If Lap Band fills are covered after surgery.
• Contact information for your insurance provider.
• A link to the insurance policy detailing coverage for morbid obesity surgery.
• Next steps before Lap Band surgery, gastric bypass or other obesity surgery.

Insurance Companies

Click on your insurance carriers name to see what is required before surgery.

A

• Aetna
• Anthem BCBS

B

• BCBS Alabama
• BCBS Arkansas
• BCBS Fed and Florida
• BCBS Kansas City
• BCBS Texas
• BCBS Illinois
• BCBS of Louisiana HMO
• BCBS Massachusetts
• Blue Cross of California
• Blue Cross Maryland Care First
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan
• Blue Cross Minnesota
• Blue Cross Nebraska
• Horizon Blue Cross of New Jersey
• Blue Cross New York Excellus
• Blue Cross North Carolina
• Blue Cross Pennsylvania Capital
• Blue Cross Pennsylvania Highmark
• Blue Cross Pennsylvania Independence
• Blue Cross South Carolina
• Blue Cross Tennessee
• Blue Cross Tennessee St. Thomas and Baptist Employees
• Blue Cross Tennessee State Employees
• Blue Cross Washington Regence

C

• CHAMPVA
• Cigna
• Cigna-HealthSpring PPO
• Cigna State of Tennessee Employees
• City of LaCrosse, SEIU, ATU and Retirees
• Coventry Health Care

D

• Definity Health

E

F

• First Health

G

• Great West Healthcare

H

• HealthSpring PPO
• HealthSpring Medicare Plus
• Humana
• Humana HCA Employees

I

J

K

• Kaiser Permanente

L

M

• Medicare
• Medicaid

N

O

P

Q

R

S

• 1199SEIU Healthcare

T

• TennCare Americhoice
• TennCare Bluecare and TennCare Select
• Tricare North
• Tricare South
• Tricare West
• Tufts

U

• Unicare
• United Healthcare

V

W

X

W

Z

Today most insurance companies that cover weight loss surgery will cover gastric bands, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve surgery. Only a few years ago the lap band procedure was considered experimental and not covered by most insurance companies.

“Even if your policy excludes weight loss surgery, if your insurance carrier deems it a medical necessity you may be able to successfully fight for surgery coverage.“

If you do not see your insurance carrier on this list please email us.