Arizona Weight Loss Surgery Insurance Secrets

Posted: 8/12/21Updated: 11/7/23By Jason Richardson, MD

What are the Arizona bariatric surgery requirements? Will insurance pay for my bariatric surgery in Arizona?

There's a very good chance.

Just about every Arizona health insurance company covers weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) for eligible patients. However, some insurance companies don’t include that benefit with all of their plans. Employers can choose to exclude weight loss surgery when they contract with health insurance companies to provide coverage to their employees (possibly to save them money in the short term). So, the answer depends on your specific plan. To find out, you could contact your prospective weight loss surgeon and ask them to look it up for you. We do it for just about all of our new patients.

Does AHCCCS cover weight loss surgery? Does AHCCCS cover gastric sleeve surgery?

Yes and yes.

Arizona AHCCCS generally covers weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), including gastric sleeve surgery, for eligible patients. However, some specific plans might not include that benefit. Like above, the answer depends on your specific plan. To find out, you could contact your prospective weight loss surgeon and ask them to look it up for you. We do it for just about all of our new patients.

What if insurance won't pay for my bariatric surgery?

You have multiple options.

Double check that you haven’t made a mistake. Many people have coverage for weight loss surgery without knowing it. You could contact your prospective weight loss surgeon and ask them to look it up for you. If your current health insurance plan truly does not cover your medically necessary surgery, then:

Your surgeon might be able to help you with any of these alternatives.