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Health insurance coverage for a weight-loss surgery

When does the health insurance accept to take over the costs for the operation?

Obesity has since become recognized as a disease. Nevertheless, the cost assumption for a weight loss surgery is approved only in individual cases by the health insurance. Certain requirements for a possible authorization must be met. These include, among others:

  • BMI greater than 40
  • or BMI greater than 35, with comorbidities existing alongside overweight
  • Ages between 18 and 65
  • Unsuccessful diet attempts, cures, etc. if possible under medical supervision
  • no addictions

If various attempts at weight loss in obesity and extreme obesity have failed and this can be demonstrated, health insurance companies have to take over the costs for a weight loss surgery.

However, the insured person is first obliged, over a period of at least 6 months, to try different diets, exercise therapy and nutritional therapies. In addition, the insured may under certain circumstances undergo psychotherapy or undergo inpatient rehab measures.  In order for the health insurance company to cover the costs of a weight loss surgery, it must always be possible to prove that the measures mentioned above have already been taken and that they have failed.

Above all, the willingness must be recognizable that the food and living habits are changed after the weight loss surgery.

For more informations, ask your doctor or your health insurance company.

The weight loss surgery and our other services are organised by us in Turkey, and is therefore not covered by German and British health insurance companies.