Losing weight is neither easy nor cheap. You need a certain budget to subscribe to a meal plan, change the food you buy for a healthy diet, or get a gym membership. While these are investments that will pay off in the long run, losing weight is also an uphill battle that requires determination, patience, and discipline.
Because of this, many people turn to medically assisted weight loss, seeking professional advice from doctors or opting to undergo a surgical weight loss procedure. If you’re exploring this route as well, one of the things you might be asking is how much medical weight loss is going to cost you. Let’s find out.
The Cost of Different Medical Weight Loss Services
Medical weight loss assistance can come in the form of programs that are recommended and supervised by a doctor or surgical weight loss procedures.
Medical Weight Loss Programs
A medical weight loss program is a tailored plan curated by a medical professional. It is designed to help the patient reach their health goals while taking their unique characteristics into consideration. These programs are supervised by doctors and usually last six to eight months.
The cost of a medical weight loss program differs, depending on the duration of the program, the number of consultations, special supplements, weight loss medications, or food prescribed, etc. But generally, they can run an average of $1,000.
Medical Weight Loss Surgery
For a faster and easier means to lose weight, medical centers also offer weight loss surgeries, also called bariatric or metabolic surgery. There are many types of surgical procedures available for weight loss, the costs of which differ based on the specific treatment and the target area.
If you are considering medical weight loss surgery, you can expect to shell out anywhere from $20,000 – $25,000 in total.
Does Insurance Cover Medical Weight Loss Treatments?
Generally, there are weight loss treatments that are covered by insurance. This is especially true if the patient is obese and runs the risk of developing other severe illnesses. However, claiming for a weight loss procedure would require you to meet the criteria set by the National Institutes of Health.
Another thing to note is that your insurance might not cover the whole cost of the treatment or procedure. The coverage can be full or partial, depending on the policy and the reason for the surgery.
We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ask about your health coverage. Some important questions to ask include:
- What medical weight loss treatments does my current policy cover?
- What criteria do I have to meet for my surgery/ treatment to be covered by my policy?
- Will my policy cover the procedure in full? If not, how much can I claim?
Medical Weight Loss: Is It Worth It?
Medically assisted weight loss can get costly, but with the price you pay comes professional and effective programs and procedures that will help you achieve your weight loss goals. Because they are administered and supervised by a doctor, you can be confident that your weight loss plans and surgeries will yield the results you’re looking for.
In the end, this can be more economical than spending on weight loss plans and programs that don’t suit your body’s characteristics. Think of medical weight loss as an investment that can help you save more money in the long run. Because the results you reap are long-lasting, you can avoid future expenses on your weight management efforts.
Whether or not medical weight loss worth it depends on your personal needs and goals. But ultimately, nothing can replace the effectiveness of professional assistance in your weight loss journey.