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For those unsuccessful at weight loss through diet, exercise and behavior modification alone, a referral for bariatric surgery may be indicated. Options include procedures like the gastric sleeve, gastric band, and gastric bypass. In addition to losing weight, bariatric surgery assists some patients in reducing life-threatening conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
We understand that altering lifetime habits requires education, emotional support and commitment, and our team can help you modify your eating behavior and assist you in making necessary lifestyle changes that lead to better health.
CHI Memorial is accredited as a Comprehensive Center in Bariatric Surgery with Obesity Medicine Qualifications by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Only 5 percent of Comprehensive Centers in the United States also have the Obesity Medicine qualification, and CHI Memorial is the only center in the Chattanooga area with this qualification. Learn more
CHI Memorial Metabolic and Bariatric Care offers self pay for sleeve gastrectomy.
The best chance for obtaining approval for insurance coverage for your bariatric surgery is by working together with your surgeon and other allies to prepare a complete, detailed and documented packet of necessity to submit to the insurance company the first time. Getting insurance coverage for your surgery is a battle that in many cases you can win. Realize this may be the battle of your life, but one that is worth the fight. Don’t submit without the proper allies, strategies and tools for success. We will help guide you through the time-tested steps to success. Basically you need the following:
Is it covered?
First check if your insurance company covers “Weight loss surgery.”
Medically necessary
Ask your Primary Care Physician to refer you for bariatric surgery establishing “MEDICAL NECESSITY”: Your physician should explain that you are 100 pounds or more above your ideal weight or that you have a BMI more than 40 or more than 35 with associated medical problems, have been over weight for more than five years, have tried to lose weight several times unsuccessfully, and he/she advises weight loss is medically necessary. In addition your physician should describe ALL your medical problems associated with being overweight (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and arthropathy) if you have them. Call our office for an example letter. Learn more about BMI
Document your attempts
Document your weight loss history for the past five years from the beginning and list every commercial (Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.) and medically supervised weight loss effort you can remember, up to and including any current efforts. If you’ve had prior physician weight loss attempts, get copies of your medical records.
Make an appointment
Make an appointment. We will submit all the information to your insurance Company. If your surgery is approved, we will need to request a copy of your prior authorization in writing. If it is not approved you may need to appeal. Our insurance coordinator will provide you with an appeal process guide to aid you through this step of the insurance guidelines.
Patient Success Stories
April Hixon, CHI Memorial's Bariatric and Metabolic Care patient, shares how her life was changed as a result of bariatric surgery.
CHI Memorial Metabolic and Bariatric Care is pleased to provide support and share resources to help our bariatric surgery patients make the lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight, improve health and keep the weight off.
CHI Memorial Metabolic and Bariatric Care
7405 Shallowford Road Suite 160
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 899-1000
Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
