Many patients choose to pay for weight loss surgery themselves. In cooperation with Medical University of South Carolina, we offer special packages for cash patients, which include all usual services, at a significant discount. The actual rate varies, depending on the type of surgery chosen, and initial weight and health status.

• University Medical Associates, the physician billing office requires payment 14 days before your surgery is performed. UMA will take these credit cards: American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. We require a cashier’s check.
• MUHA, Medical University Hospital Authority, requires payment of the estimated costs 14 days before surgery.

For self-pay patients, or patients with insurance that elect to self pay due to lack of insurance coverage, you will be quoted a fee for your Gastric Bypass or Lap Band surgery.  Please note this fee ONLY covers routine services related to your Gastric Bypass and is based upon usual and customary charges.  The fee quoted for weight loss surgery includes your surgeon’s fee, the anesthesiologist’s fee, the radiologist’s fee, and the hospital bill for Gastric Bypass only.  The fee does NOT include:

• Pre-procedure office visits
• Post-procedure office visits
• Diagnostic testing
• Other professional services required as a result of a complication
• Other services provided unrelated to your gastric bypass

In other words, if the only surgery you require is the initial planned weight loss surgery, the fee quoted is all you will owe.  If you require additional physician specialties to manage a complication, or if your surgeon finds other problems that need to be fixed, such as repair or removal of your gallbladder or a hernia, you will have additional charges from the physicians. You will be responsible for those additional professional fees.  Your hospital bill for this admission will not change, regardless of your length of stay.

If you would like to become an advocate for change related to bariatric surgery benefits, please visit the Obesity Action Coalition to learn how you can help to affect healthcare policy and improve access to care for the treatment of obesity.