Does insurance cover weight loss surgery in Mexico?
Nowadays, several bariatric surgery techniques are used to fight morbid obesity issues in the population. Bariatric surgery is mainly applied to people who haven’t been able to obtain good results despite following a strict diet and exercising at least three times a week.
It is considered that several bariatric surgery procedures are necessary to lower blood glucose, blood pressure, and common ailments in patients with obesity. Unfortunately, not all insurances cover this type of surgery since they are usually considered aesthetic surgeries.
Can insurance cover weight loss surgery?
Determining whether it will be possible to cover any bariatric surgery procedures, such as the bariatric sleeve procedure, depends on several factors. Some insurances offer you this possibility as long as you meet specific requirements, and it is necessary to keep that in mind.
Some of the requirements that are commonly taken into account are the body mass index, which must be higher than 35, as well as other conditions that may be affecting the patient’s quality of life, such as diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension, in addition; the patient must be at least 18 years old.
Another important aspect is that usually, these insurances only cover some procedures such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. So it is necessary to speak with the surgeon to know what kind of weight loss surgery Mexico may be suitable for the patient and if your insurance can cover it.
On the other hand, it is also crucial for you to know that it is becoming more and more common for clinics to accept insurance from around the world. If you are from the USA and have insurance related to bariatric surgery procedures, you will probably not have any problem covering your expenses in Mexico.
To get a clearer idea of whether the clinic will accept the insurance, it is necessary to contact the insurance company and the doctor to clear up any doubts you may have about the eligibility of the surgery to be covered.
What are the benefits of being treated in Mexico?
Gastric bypass is a stomach surgery Mexico that eliminates approximately 85% of the excess weight that the patient has. In addition, with professional support during the whole process, patients acquire good habits that will help them achieve a better life quality in the long term.
Unfortunately, this and other procedures are usually expensive, especially in countries like the United States; however, in Mexico, there are border cities characterized by offering a wide variety of medical services, which, in addition to providing good quality, are pretty affordable.
One example of the above is the city of Tijuana, which annually receives approximately 2 million tourists. Tourists who visit the city with the idea of undergoing medical treatment because they know that most of the clinics in this city work with health professionals recognized inside and outside Mexico.
In addition, some clinics specialize in treating the issues associated with obesity, offering bariatric services tailored to each patient’s needs. In many of these clinics, the patient is provided nutritional counseling, support during the process, and personalized routines.
The most common thing is for the patient to be satisfied with the attention they receive, and the affordable prices help them to undergo surgery even if they do not have insurance. Precisely because of this, the number of people who decide to undergo treatment in Mexico is increasing.
What procedures are usually performed?
As we said before, several procedures can be performed by a bariatric surgeon in Mexico, but the most common are the following:
Gastric Sleeve
It is a minimally aggressive procedure, also known as a vertical gastrectomy. This procedure is usually recommended for patients who suffer from a severe case of obesity since weight is lost very quickly.
This technique seeks to eliminate a large part of the patient’s stomach, which is why it is an irreversible surgery.
Gastric Bypass
This is one of the most popular procedures worldwide, as it can provide many benefits if you suffer from obesity. This technique is considered mixed since it is not only restrictive but also malabsorptive.
As we mentioned before, as well as the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass is usually one of the weight loss procedures that insurances typically take into account.
Mini gastric bypass
This surgery is characterized by dividing the stomach into two pouches and bypassing the small intestine. It is also considered a mixed procedure because, in addition to limiting the intake, it alters the intestine’s absorption.
All these procedures can significantly help patients who are overweight and obese. However, it is necessary to follow the doctor’s indications. Besides, it is essential to take into account that it is an extra help to recover an adequate weight and improve health, so it is necessary to change habits.
If you are considering traveling to Mexico to undergo any of these procedures, you should know that in Baristic, we can help you. We have health professionals such as Dr. Miguel Navarro, founder, and director of the Bariatric Surgery Center Tijuana.
In addition to the support of Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, a surgeon certified by the Mexican College of Surgeons, you can receive professional attention at all times. If you have doubts about whether your insurance can cover your surgery or you want to know which procedure is the one that best suits your needs, please contact us.
At Baristic, we will provide you with all the information you need to start your treatment.
