North Florida Regional Medical Center

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Getting Started

Who qualifies for weight loss surgery?

Candidates must meet the following criteria:
**The qualifying criteria may differ depending on your insurance carrier.

18 years of age or older
Have one of the following:
- BMI of 35 with at least one medical condition associated with obesity such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, etc., or
- BMI of ≥ 40
Commit to regularly scheduled follow-up visits

How do I find out if my insurance covers weight loss surgery?

To find out if weight loss surgery is a covered benefit under your insurance, you can:

Contact your insurance provider. For Gastric Bypass, use procedure code 44.38. For Lap-Band, use procedure code 44.95.
Contact our center and a member of our staff will collect your information. Our insurance specialist will then verify your benefits. This process normally takes up to 3 business days.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Contact our center to learn more about our Self-Pay Pricing for Lap-Band surgery.

How do I set up my initial visit?

Contact the Center for Obesity Surgery and Treatment to get started. A member of our staff will gather your information and verify your benefits with your insurance company. Once your benefits have been verified we will contact you to schedule your New Patient Orientation Seminar. Our office will mail you a patient packet which includes a Bariatric Patient History Form. Please fill out this form in detail and bring it with you to your orientation seminar. Be sure to include an updated list of medications.

What happens during the New Patient Orientation Seminar?

Your initial visit with us will last approximately 90 minutes and will be conducted in a group setting. During this visit we will discuss the surgery options available and what to expect on your journey to a new you. We will also inform you of the criteria that will need to be met in order to schedule your surgery. At the end of your visit, a member of our staff will schedule you for your one-on-one consultation with the surgeon of your choice.

What is Suite 101 and do I have to check-in there before my appointment?

Suite 101 is our registration office. Patients must register in Suite 101 prior to every office visit. (Those attending New Patient Orientation do not need to register in Suite 101.) During registration you will receive your patient identification band and sign consent for the day’s appointment. Please arrive early to complete the registration process prior to your scheduled appointment with us.

How do I get scheduled for surgery?

Our staff will work with you to gather the proper medical documentation needed in order to schedule your surgery. All patients are required to have the following:

Letter of Medical Necessity from primary care doctor
Thyroid Screening (TSH)
Psychological Evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist

Most insurance carriers require additional documentation regarding past diet attempts. Our bariatric educator will discuss your surgery requirements with you during the New Patient Orientation Seminar. We can only schedule your surgery after receiving approval from your insurance provider.

We will do our very best to assist you during the insurance approval process. Should you have any questions, please call us at (352) 331-5255 or (800) 342-6057.