Question:
Does ins pay for wls if gallbladder is

My insurance will not pay for wls, however, they will pay for some of the "surgery" if I have my gallbladder removed. Has anyone else ever experienced this situation?    — Karen B. (posted on December 5, 2002)

December 5, 2002
My Doctor is taking my gallbladder out while he is doing my WLS and he said it was two for one. Most Insurance will not pay if their is no reason for it being removed. So if you want yours out to avoid furture problems you might have trouble with the ins paying. Hope this helpped
   — Kim R.

December 5, 2002
What part of the surgery are they willing to pay for with the removal of the gall bladder? I have heard of that, I heard that is how some Drs can get around the exclusion policy so that you pay minimal cost out of pocket, usually just the Dr. fee because the insurace is covering the surgery and hospital costs.
   — lisar02169

December 5, 2002
My insurance would not pay for WLS--since I was scheduled for lap, no approval was given for GB removal. My lap was converted to open. The surgeon office billed insurance for the GB removal and insurance paid.
   — barbara A.

December 5, 2002
The ins company will pay for the fees associated with the galbladder removal, but not the fees associated with WLS. When you say they will pay for some of the surgery, that is what they are talking about. The thing is, when I had my galbladder removed it was on an outpatient basis, meaning......I was in and out the same day. WLS requires at least a 3 day stay. This is a way to get SOME of the charges covered, but you will still have a large out of pocket expese.
   — RebeccaP