In Mexico Gastric lap band surgery cost is lower compared to the USA, UK and Canada and comparable to that in Asia (India & Thailand). Below is the approximate gastric lap band surgery costs comparison:

Mexico: $ 6,500 ~ $ 8,000
USA: $ 13,000 ~ $ 35,000

Except the actual costs, there are some other financial considerations to look into. For example, US health plans, such as Medicare and Medicaid, will only cover the cost of the lap band surgery if the patient can prove that their BMI (body mass index) is higher than 40. Furthermore you will have to able to demonstrate a history of previous attempts at weight loss.

Therefore any patient who does not meet the above requirements does not qualify for health plan coverage for the gastric banding surgery. This effectively puts gastric lap band surgery out of reach for many people in the USA. You will have find your own money or get funding for gastric band through bank loans to finance a lap band surgery in Mexico.

Taking into all these factors Mexico as a medical destination for gastric lap band surgery is quite attractive. Even after will include travel and hotel expenses related to a gastric surgery trip to Mexico, a 50% to 60% cost savings can quite easily be achieved.

Countries such as Mexico and India are able to provide low cost lap band surgery because the general cost of living is much lower than in USA, having less overhead expences for the hospital & medical professionals.

Low cost lap band surgery in Mexico does not mean the quality is substandard. As Mexico has some of the most experienced and qualified lap band surgeons around. Hundreds of Americans visit Mexico for gastric lap band surgery every month.

Many Mexican surgeons are certified by lap band manufacturer INAMED Health (now Allergan) to train (proctor) other doctors in America (including in United States).

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Before we look at cost gastric banding surgery we look at the costs of obesity. Based on estimates of 10 years ago the annual medical cost to treat patients who are over weight or obese has been estimated to be 79 billion US dollars and the cost on health care now rivals that of smoking.

Your own personal cost of living with obesity can also be significant. Consider what you might spend on the following items:

• Out of pocket healthcare expenses
• Over-the-counter medication costs
• Co-pays for doctor office visits
• Co-pays for lab work
• Co-pays for specialists
• Co-pays for physical therapists/allied health professionals
• Prescription co-pays
• Employment inactivity costs (days of missed work)
• Non-surgical weight loss programs (such as Weight Watchers® or Jenny Craig®)
• Grocery and dining costs

These expenditures can quickly add up and you will find a dramatic reduction in your costs with reduction in your weight.

For the actual cost gastric banding surgery procedure varies from state to state and even from city to city, it’s difficult to predict actual costs and the differences can be summarized into three areas:

• The type of health plan you have
• If your surgeon/hospital you choose is an in-network provider
• If your procedure is done on an in-patient (overnight) or out-patient (same day discharge) basis.

Generally, the cost gastric banding surgery procedure (facility, surgeon, and anesthesiologist) in the USA can range from $12,000 to $25,000 and will typically include the costs of adjustments for the first year after surgery. After the first year, follow-up visits will range from $35 to $200 each, depending on what is involved. Please keep in mind, post-surgical follow-up is crucial to achieving your best possible results.

Insurance and Health Plans

Today, many health plans in the USA will (including Medicare and, in some states, Medicaid) cover the cost of Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery, therefore some if not all of the costs may be covered.

Each health plan will have certain criteria that need to be met before you can actually have the surgery.

In certain cases, your insurance plan might not cover the cost gastric banding surgery. They may issue a “denial” to your “prior authorization request”. Depending on the reason, you and your doctor may still be able to reverse the denial.

Payment Options

Potential Tax Savings

In the year you finance or pay cash for your gastric banding surgery, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars back in potential tax savings. IRS Publication 502 states you can deduct your medical and dental expenses when they total more than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (see IRS publication 502, page 2). Check with your accountant or tax adviser for further information.

Remember, tax and financial circumstances are different for each person and the laws are constantly changing. This information should be not be considered financial advice or used as a substitute for the advice of an accountant or tax adviser. Seek financial advice from a professional for any questions you have.

Hope this has given you an insight into cost gastric banding surgery.

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