Obesity is a disease that impacts people of all socioeconomic classes. However, the lower your income, the more likely you are to be obese. This is problematic given the best tools in the fight against being overweight cost money—sometimes, a lot of money.
Take bariatric surgery, for example. More than 60 percent of all adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese, many of whom are morbidly obese. These are people who need bariatric surgery, but can they afford it?
Just take a look at the average prices in the U.S. for common bariatric procedures:
- Lap Band: $14,500
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: $17,500
- Gastric Bypass: $23,000
And these prices aren’t all-inclusive. Other fees, from operating room rental to the anesthesiologist, are tacked onto the final bill. This means that for some people in need of surgery to turn their lives around, the cost of the procedure can exceed their annual income.
Without Insurance, How Can You Pay for Bariatric Surgery?
Not all insurance providers are open to covering bariatric procedures, and not everyone who needs them has insurance. So how can you make the surgery you need more accessible? There are a few options.
Bariatric Surgery Payment Plans
These plans are offered by the surgery provider. Typically, they require a down payment of at least 20 percent of the cost of surgery, then break up the remaining cost over monthly payments. How many months? That’s up to the provider, but many will spread them out over 24 to 36 months.
Bariatric Surgery Financing
There are numerous companies that offer medical financing plans. Typically, these are less appealing than a payment plan from your provider since they will charge interest and are less likely to be forgiving should you run into problems. However, they can work for those unable to get a payment plan through the surgeon.
Medical Loans for Bariatric Surgery
In some cases, a medical loan may be the best option. These usually require collateral but tend to have lower interest rates than financing companies offer. Talk to your bank about what terms they offer on medical loans.
Bariatric Surgery in Tijuana
One way to make surgery more affordable is to head to where it costs less—a lot less. For example, gastric sleeve surgery in Tijuana, Mexico can cost as little as $4,700. Compare that to the $17,500 average price in the U.S. and suddenly the idea of getting the surgery you need doesn’t seem out of reach.
To learn more about bariatric surgery in Tijuana, contact Dr. Jalil today.
