Bariatric surgery and health insurance: How they go hand in hand

Obesity is one of the biggest lifestyle disorders today. It is caused by various factors such as unhealthy eating habits, stress, lack of exercise, poor sleep, etc. This leads to severe health issues and many people end up with cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and other serious conditions due to obesity. A good way to tackle obesity is by opting for bariatric surgery. But does your insurance policy cover bariatric surgery? Let’s find out in the article below about bariatric surgery and how Zurich Kotak Health insurance can come in handy.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure through which a part of the stomach is clipped. This lowers the eating capacity and you start losing weight after that. It is an effective way to control your food and lifestyle disorders. Bariatric surgeries are considered to be very safe and are widely performed over the world. It has proved to be essential and, in some cases, even life-saving. Hence, most health plans in India cover bariatric surgeries. It will be easy for you to find a health insurance policy that offers this coverage.

Insurance to cover bariatric surgery - what is included

When you opt for a health insurance policy, you get several covers. These extend to your bariatric treatments as well. So, if you undergo surgery for weight loss, you can expect the following covers:

1. In-patient care

2. Surgery and OT costs

3. Physician fees

4. Nursing charges

5. ICU charges, if any

There are more covers available under the good health plans. Go over the list of inclusions in your medical insurance policy to know the exact scope of coverage.

Insurance to cover bariatric surgery - points to note

Before you consider using insurance that covers bariatric surgery, keep the following factors in mind:

1. You can make a claim for bariatric surgery on your health insurance plan if you are above the age of 18

2. You can undergo the surgery and make a health insurance claim only if your BMI is above 40. In some cases, a patient with severe co-existing can opt for bariatric surgery if his/her BMI is above 35

3. A certified bariatric surgeon has to provide an undertaking, mentioning the need for the surgery

4. Since bariatric surgeries are almost always pre-planned, you need to submit all the documents, including the doctor’s decoration, to the insurance provider well in advance to get the claim settled smoothly

5. You can opt for cashless mediclaim for your bariatric surgery if your health insurance policy has that specific provision

6. You can opt for cashless settlement for your bariatric surgery if your health insurance policy has that specific provision

These are important factors to keep in mind before you consider using your health insurance plan to cover the bariatric surgery costs.

Conclusion

As you can clearly see from the points mentioned above, you can effectively use your medical insurance policy to seek bariatric treatment. Speak to your doctor and see if you need the surgery. Get a good plan from a leading insurance provider like Zurich Kotak Health insurance and get your surgery done in a smooth and convenient way.

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