When you contact a weight-loss surgery program, you’ll find that the practice has its own staff to help you manage insurance and financial issues. They’ll talk with you about all your concerns regarding your insurance policy. Staff members usually are pretty good at helping you.

However, it’s still important to be familiar with your own insurance policy. Some policies cover the operation, but, more than likely, the insurance company will require a “letter of medical necessity” from both the surgeon and your primary care doctor that details your obesity-related health conditions. You may also be required to meet with a registered dietitian and be evaluated by a psychologist. Your surgeon will help you with these referrals.

Some insurance companies require that you have participated in a physician-supervised diet and exercise program for six months. Your program staff can help you with this as well. Letters from any doctors who treated you for obesity-related conditions, especially diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia and arthritis, are also helpful.

Tenacity helps. Don’t take no for an answer. Working closely with your weight-loss surgery program gives you a good chance of having your surgery covered. Don’t give up.