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It's natural to have questions about weight loss surgery. You might be curious to know how much weight you'll lose or whether your insurance will cover your weight loss procedure. We offer you the opportunity to view the FAQ's by the category you're interested in.
Ask the doctor provides general questions and answers about weight loss surgery.
Ask the dietitian offers pre and post op questions and answers most commonly asked.
Ask the exercise physiologist has a list of questions and answers for the post op patient.
Ask the psychologist will offer you answers to those questions about your psych evaluation.
If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Your Insurance and Financing questions are listed below:
Insurance FAQ
What is the cost of surgery if I do not have insurance coverage?
Please click here to see our self pay rates.
How do I get started with the process?
Please click here to register for a seminar or come by our office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
What is needed for insurance approval?
After attending a seminar, our staff will contact your insurance company to obtain the requirements for your specific policy. The criteria for many plans are listed on this page.
How much will my insurance pay for surgery?
Once obtained from your insurance company, we provide you with your benefits for surgery which includes any amounts that are your responsibility.
How do I know what else you need from me or if my doctor’s office faxed the information?
Please log in to the patient portal to view what items have been received and what is still needed. You can also contact us directly.
Do I have to pay the fees before surgery?
The hospital will ask for any amount the insurance company has quoted as your responsibility (co-pays, deductibles, out of pocket maximums etc.).
Do you offer financing?
We do not provide financing through our office; however, we work with several healthcare financing companies.
Can I meet with a Financial Counselor to review my records and explain what is needed?
There are times you may want to meet face to face to review information we have in your chart and information still needed to meet your insurance requirements. We welcome walk-ins to our Center Monday thru Friday 8:30am-3:00 pm to meet with a financial counselor to discuss your insurance criteria.
Do I have to lose weight before my insurance will approve surgery?
Your insurance company may require weight loss as criteria for coverage of surgery. Please refer to your specific insurance requirements provided.
When do I schedule an appointment with the surgeon?
Our Center will advise you when to schedule an appointment with a surgeon. Some insurance companies require an appointment with a surgeon before approving surgery. If not, once approved for surgery, you will be asked to contact the surgeon of your choice for a consult appointment.
Why are you asking for so many medical records when my doctor can just write a letter?
Most insurance companies will not accept information contained in a letter only, as medical records are considered legal documents. Information contained in a medical record is considered accurate and true information as it can not be altered.
Can my doctor fax or mail you the information needed?
We would prefer fax, as the information arrives sooner than mail. Our fax number is 615-342-1814, if your doctor prefers to mail your information, please give them this address:
ATTN: Financial Counselor
Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity
2200 Murphy Avenue
Nashville TN 37203
What does my doctor have to put in the letter of recommendation?
We have provided an example.
Does my PCP have to write the letter of recommendation or can any of my doctors write a letter?
Any physician that you visit on a regular basis would be a good choice to write a letter. We welcome as many letters as you would like to send to your insurance company to support your health history.
Do I have to complete a psychological evaluation?
Yes, our Center requests that all of our patients complete a psychological evaluation.
When do I schedule an appointment to complete the psychological evaluation?
Our Center will advise you when to schedule a psychological evaluation. Some insurance companies will require an appointment before approving surgery. Otherwise, once your insurance company approves your surgery, your surgeon will advise you to complete your psychological evaluation.
Can you call my doctors office and request my medical records?
As long as you have signed a medical release form, in compliance with HIPAA, we would be happy to work with your physician’s office to obtain copies of your medical records. If you contact your doctor’s office directly, our fax number is 615-342-1814.
When do I schedule an appointment to complete a nutritional evaluation and what is the phone number?
Our Center will advise you when to schedule a nutritional evaluation (this is not the same as the nutrition class required before surgery), but only if your insurance company requires an appointment before approving surgery. If required, you may call the Centennial outpatient dietitian at 615-342-4012 to schedule an appointment, once we advise you to do so.
Can I change my mind about which surgery I choose after my insurance company approves the surgery?
At any point, prior to surgery, you can switch to another surgery, but keep in mind we will need to request approval from your insurance company for the new surgery. Most of the time, the insurance company will update the information within 30 days of our request.