Effective March 17, 2026, Independence Blue Cross will update the Commercial policy on Bariatric Surgery.
Changes to this policy include:
- Coverage position of single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S)/sleeve gastrectomy with single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SIPS) has changed from Experimental/Investigational to Medically Necessary.
- Various bariatric surgery and related procedures (e.g., natural orifice transoral endoscopic surgery) have been added to the policy as Experimental/Investigational.
- Language in the guidelines section of the policy pertaining to benefit language application was removed due to variability within plans.
Learn more
For more information about updates to Bariatric Surgery, effective March 17, 2026, please refer to the following notification:
Note: The above policy notification link will expire and become unusable on March 17, 2026, when the new policy is issued.
To access the most updated version of any active policy, please refer to the Medical and Claim Payment Policy Portal or simply navigate to the Commercial or Medicare Advantage policy bulletins.
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