:help: anyone familiar with Medicare's requirement for this certificate of excellance, that the hospitals have to have now???

I am waiting for Harper Hospital to receive it so I can get banded.

Martha

I'm having a very hard time with this. I have been banded and can't get fills or have any problems fixed from my surgeon because of this. The hospital he works out has no idea whenthey will get this and the office staff has no idea when the hospital will get this.

It's terrible.

I know, I just read your thread. Is there no certified hospital in your area? Your doctor or clinic should keep you informed. That's how I found out. The waiting game. It sucks big time.

Martha

Maybe PM Dody? I know she had this issue. She's getting banded at Vanderbilt? I think? Ugh...I'm starting rumors...anyhow, her screen name is Dody and she isn't on often lately so maybe PM her and see what she has to say. good luck!

Hi Martha,

No, no certified hospitals in my area. Only 3 are in NJ and they are a drive. The closest one to me will not take me because someone else did my surgery. I couldn't go to him anyway, he doesn't take Medicare.

And the hospital and the office is not keeping me up to date, I think that is what I am angry about the most.

Maybe PM Dody? I know she had this issue. She's getting banded at Vanderbilt? I think? Ugh...I'm starting rumors...anyhow, her screen name is Dody and she isn't on often lately so maybe PM her and see what she has to say. good luck!

Yes, Kathy you are correct. Dody got her band today around 10:45AM. I'm sure she would be happy to share info with you Martha. Give her a few days to respond since she will be recovering. Good luck!!

I will patiently await her news.

Thanks,

Martha.....waiting

I live in missouri and have found only one that will take medicare and have a suplement to cover what medicare dont, does anyone know of other places in mo tha takes medicare for a lap band ? tks

Here is a great link I have in my favorites. You can search by state.

http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

tks so much, good luck to you

Just think how this new medicare rule has many bandsters left without a doctor.

Leenerbups,

There are only 2 hospitals in MI that are certified, so far. Once this gets going, and others become certified, we should be able to go anywhere close. Martha

tks so much, they have one sedalia mo. I will go for my seminar tues the first of aug. thank you again venita

Here is a great link I have in my favorites. You can search by state.

In addition to the Surgical Review Corp. linked to above, Medicare will cover surgery at centers certified for Bariatric Surgery through the American College of Surgeons, a seperate program. I don't have the link for that handy.

From a sticky above I found this link for Medicare approved Bariatric Surgery sites:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp#TopOfPage

Hey NeNe, did you go to the seminar in Aug in Sedalia??? If you did, I was there too!! I live in Warrensburg, MO. and attended the seminar Tuesday night. I don't know if there is a way to E-mail on here?? I would love to chat. I am sorry if I made that post a little too personal, I was not sure how to get in touch with you. : ) I would like to add that it is wonderful for me that I have Medicare and a center for excellence only 28 miles away, after reading all these posts...I see how lucky I truly am to have the center, and so close!

~Patti

great patty cakes, I was there also, I set about on the 4 row from front, on the right side. where were you? I would love to talk to you to, my email is v.v@centurytel.net