Mercer Health Weight Management / Lap-Band Surgery Center
Welcome to the Mercer Health Weight Management Program. Our goal is to provide comprehensive services to assist you in your weight loss journey. We recognize there are many steps leading up to weight loss surgery, so we have developed a multidisciplinary team to help you. It is very important that you take an active role during this process. Your effort will ensure the process moves as efficiently as possible.
By considering the option to undergo weight loss surgery, you have taken the first step necessary to change your health…and your life. Please read the following information carefully.
STEPS IN THE PROCESS:
1. You must attend one of our free public educational seminars.
Our free seminars are held at least once per month. Please call us to find out when and where the next session will be held. If you have any questions or would like to register for an upcoming seminar, please call the Mercer Health Weight Management Center at 419-678-THIN(8446).
2. Complete and submit the Weight Management Patient Packet.
You must completely fill out the patient packet and sign it in order for us to determine whether you’re a candidate for surgery. Please complete this packet in ink.
Include a copy (front and back) of your insurance card with your completed packet.
Please bring the completed packet with you to the public seminar to submit to our office.
3. Confirm your insurance coverage for weight loss surgery.
A. Patients Paying Cash:
If you are paying cash, you do not need to provide any supporting documentation of medically supervised weight loss programs. You may continue on to # 5.
B. If you are going to use insurance to pay for your surgery:
We will contact your insurance company. It is also helpful to obtain a copy of your insurance policy so we can verify your benefits. Your insurance company may require a six month medically supervised weight loss program.
C. Out of Network:
If we are not a contracted provider for your insurance company, you may still choose to complete our program. You will be required to either pay the surgery fee or if you have out-of-network benefits you will be responsible for part of the fee.
4. Support documentation is now required by all insurance companies for HMC, POS and PPO type plans. You will need to provide a letter from you Primary Care Physician supporting your decision to undergo weight loss surgery. The physician will refer to this as a letter of medical necessity. A copy of a sample letter is included in the Weight Management Patient Packet.
5. Submitting your completed packet:
If you did not turn in your packet at the seminar, please mail your completed packet and documentation to:
Mercer Health Weight Management Center
800 West Main St.
Coldwater OH, 45828
6. When we have received your packet:
We will verify your insurance benefit, co-pay and eligibility requirements. The Weight Loss Center will then call you to answer any questions you may have and help you develop a plan to complete the program.
7. Consultation:
Before arriving for the initial consultation, you need to fill out the Nutrition Packet. This packet is found online on our website or can be mailed to you when your consultation is scheduled. This consultation may include:
A. A comprehensive health history and physical evaluation by the surgeon.
B. A nutritional evaluation by our staff Registered Dietician.
C. A comprehensive psychological evaluation and testing by our Licensed Clinical Psychologist. This may be scheduled at a later date.
If you cancel or reschedule an appointment please give several days notice.
PLEASE REMEMBER: If you did not submit a letter of medical necessity from your Primary Care Physician supporting your application for surgery, or your medically supervised weight loss documentation, you MUST bring it with you to your initial consultation.
AUTHORIZATION for surgery cannot be submitted without these documents.
That’s it! You’re now on your way to better health. While it’s understandable that you may be anxious to schedule this life-changing event, we thank you for your patience during this process. At Mercer Health Weight Management Center, we take every precaution to ensure your health, safety and long-term success.
To learn more information about the Mercer Health Weight Management Program, click here.