BettyBoop

Reallyrosy, If Kaiser covers it through their Medicare plan, then your Medicare plan should cover it. You need to talk to management. P.S. Some people get Medicade and Medicare confused. I have MEDICARE, which is run by the federal government. Good luck!!

OK! **** NEWSFLASH****** I called Kaiser's Membership Service's. I was told that the sleeve is COVERED through Kaiser's Senior Advantage's Medicare Program! However, to be sure, I also called my Option's case manager. She also told me the sleeve has been covered since April of last year!! So those of you want the sleeve, and have Medicare and are being denied coverage, you need to talk to some manager's of your Insurance Plans!! I hope this helps!!! BettyBoop

If they have a code for it, then they should approve it, I would think!!

BTW, I just found this post by Mr. Mason. He says he has Medicare and Kaiser. Looks like he got his surgery. But I will still be calling Membership Services. Cause now you all have me worried... http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/6667-kaiser-permanente-is-southern-california/

Hi Monty, I will call membership service's today. But I can't imagine Kaiser offering it to some patients, but not others. I wanted the RouNY, but my surgeon thinks the sleeve would be best for me because I am considered high risk because of some of the drugs I have to take that lowers my immunity. But I will get back to you as soon as I find out anything! I don't understand why they have a code for it, if they're not going to cover it!!

Thanks so much reallyrosy!! I don't think my disability has anything to do with it. I think it is because I have Medicare's "Advantage Plan". I do not pay extra to have an Advantage Plan through Kaiser. Perhaps if I had just regular Medicare, they wouldn't pay for it? Just a thought. But could you join an Advantage Plan? ( when you're allowed to change ) I know there are certain times you can change to an Advantage Plan. Maybe look into that??! It would take some time, but at least you wouldn't have to pay out of pocket. Good luck to you!

I finished my Options class at the Downey Kaiser on Aug 27th. I ended up calling them, when I hadn't heard anything. Long story short is, they got me my referral to Dr. Edward Mun at the South Bay Kaiser. I was excited to find out that Dr. Mun is one of the best surgeons in the world. Anyway, I had my appt with him and I'll be having surgery Oct 25th!! Good luck to you!!!

Agree. You do have a choice with Kaiser. I too am a Kaiser patient. I did go in wanting the RouNY. But my surgeon thought the sleeve would be best for me because I am considered high risk. I agreed with him and now I will be sleeved on Oct 25th!! Good luck to you!

I'm on a Medicare Advantage plan and I'm having the sleeve done at the end of this month and Medicare is paying for my surgery!! I don't know if this applies to those just on regular Medicare....

OK, I am on Medicare. But I am on an Advantage Plan that anyone can get through Medicare. I am having the sleeve at the end of this month and Medicare/Kaiser is paying for it!

Hello, I am disabled and on Medicare and they are paying for my Gastric Sleeve surgery. Although I do have Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage. ( I am not a senior tho) Rather than plain Medicare. I'm having my surgery at the end of this month.