You've spent a year or two mulling it over. You've hemmed. You've hawed. Then, you hemmed a bit more. But finally, at long last, you've made your decision: It's time! You're over watching other people get weight-loss surgery and enjoy lifestyle benefits you want for yourself. You're ready.
Only, there's still one thing to figure out: how will you pay for it? Maybe you don't have bariatric coverage. Maybe you do, but you have a large deductible. Either way, you have a dilemma.
There are options, and maybe ones you haven't thought of. Some patients combine two or three to make it work. What follows is a discussion of the financing options.
What does the procedure cost?
Obviously, it's helpful to know what you are financing. Thankfully, you can. Our self-pay prices are published on this site: $19,200 for a gastric sleeve, $23,200 for a gastric bypass, $12,900 for ESG, $8,900 for the Orbera balloon, and so on. For a full accounting of what is covered by the price, please visit our self-pay page.
If you have insurance, your final cost is usually much less. Our office will check your benefit and help come up with an estimate before you commit to anything.
Four ways to pay
| Route | What it is | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Your plan covers the procedure, you pay deductible and coinsurance | Your plan includes bariatric benefits and you can meet the supervised-diet requirement |
| Self-pay | You pay the published price directly, in one or two installments | Your plan excludes surgery, or your deductible is high enough that coverage saves little |
| Medical financing | A lender pays us, you repay the lender monthly | You want to start now and spread the cost over two to six years |
| Medical HSA | Your employers HSA can be applied to part or all of your surgical expense | You have one! Not everybody does, but surgery is almost always a covered expense. |
Most self-pay patients use some combination — HSA money toward the hospital portion, financing for the surgeon fee, and so on. You do not have to pick one.
Financing through Prosper Healthcare Lending
We partner with Prosper® Healthcare Lending because their process is fast and because they specialize in this. The essentials:
- Loans from $2,000 to $50,000, terms of two to six years
- APR range 8.99% to 35.99%, depending on credit
- Checking your rate does not affect your credit score
- You usually get a decision in minutes
Patients who use Prosper apply directly, and you can do so now by scanning the QR code below. We never see your financial information, we do not approve or deny anything. Also, we are not paid any more if you use them. If you are approved, Prosper pays the surgeon fee, and you repay them.
Click or scan the QR icon to start the application process. Note: Applying to Prosper® does not adversely impact your credit.
One thing to keep in mind: the APR range can be wide. If your credit is strong, you may find better terms elsewhere.
Other lenders to think about
We would rather you got a good rate than that you used our partner. A few options patients bring back to us:
- CareCredit. A health-care credit card accepted by many practices, usually offering promotional periods with no interest if the balance is cleared in time. Read the deferred-interest terms carefully: if any balance remains when the promotional period ends, interest is typically charged retroactively from the original date. That can come as a surprise.
- Your own bank or credit union. Often the cheapest money available, particularly if you are an established customer. Credit unions in particular are worth a call before you take a medical-specialty loan.
- A home equity line of credit. Usually the lowest rate of anything here, though it puts your house behind the debt.
- A 0% APR credit card offer. Workable for the smaller endoscopic procedures if you can clear it inside the promotional window. Maybe less great for a $19,000 surgery.
Compare the total you will repay, not the monthly payment. A longer term always looks cheaper per month and is usually more expensive overall.
HSA, FSA, and employer benefits
Bariatric surgery is almost always a qualified medical expense, so pre-tax health savings dollars can go toward it. Confirm with your plan administrator and keep your receipts along with any letter of medical necessity we provide.
Also worth ten minutes with your HR department: some employers offer weight-management or surgical benefits that sit entirely outside the standard health plan. Patients are frequently surprised. Do not assume you have no coverage because your medical plan excludes surgery.
If all else fails...
Sometimes the answer from a lender is no. That doesn't necessarily have to be the end of it.
Appeal the insurance denial first. A surprising number of denials are procedural rather than substantive — a missing document, a miscoded diagnosis, a supervised-diet log that was one visit short. Our office does this regularly and we are stubborn about it.
Ask about hospital financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals maintain financial assistance policies. Be aware that these generally apply to medically necessary care rather than elective self-pay surgery, so this is a long shot — but it costs nothing to ask INOVA directly, and the answer depends on your circumstances.
Consider the endoscopic options. If the surgical price is out of reach, ESG at $12,900 or the Orbera balloon at $8,900 are real procedures with real results, not consolation prizes. They are also easier to finance because the amounts are smaller. Whether they suit you is a clinical question — Dr. Fitzer will tell you honestly at your consultation.
Rebuild and come back. A declined application is usually about debt-to-income ratio or a recent credit event, and both change. Patients who were turned down are often approved six or twelve months later.
On crowdfunding. It's been done. Patients do try to raise money this way, and some succeed. Make a cute pitch video, and who knows?
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance the entire cost, including the hospital?
Does checking my rate hurt my credit?
Can I use insurance and financing together?
What if I am declined?
Do you offer in-house financing?
Is any of this refundable if I change my mind?
The next step
Call (703) 709-9771 and ask for a written quote. Our office will confirm your self-pay total or verify your insurance benefit, walk you through the payment schedule, and answer financing questions without any obligation to book.
Or request a consultation and we will sort the money out at the same visit.
Medical and financial disclaimer: The information on this page is general and is not financial advice. Loan terms, rates, and promotional offers are set by the lender, change frequently, and depend on your credit. Confirm all terms directly with the lender before you borrow. Pricing shown is an estimate of self-pay charges and is subject to change.