:help: :help: Is it hard to get Medicare to approve a LapBand surgery? I found a list of Seal of Excellence for hopitals but not Dr's. Any help that anyone can give I'd really appreciate it.I live in Maryland but would probably go to Pa. b/c it's closer. What kind of info do I need to take to a dr.? Also what is a list of diseases that would help me be qualified. I have Asthma,really bad knees, and Allergies. My feet are also partial numb.I have Arthritis of the spine, and the meds. doesn't stop the pain.

Thank You All.

Shirley:think

Hi Shirley,

I was just on ObesityHelp.com and looked at the list of medical insurances that were used for surgery.....Medicare --looks like they were all approved after only on request...it does have to be a medical necessity though. There were many people who used Medicare. Sometimes diseases can be a hinderance...they are looking for co-morbidities. Like: Sleep

Apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, things of that nature. I think its things that can be improved thru weight loss. Something like Allergies wouldn't apply. But your doc will give you a list of things you need to be tested for. I had to do a Psych Evaluation, Nutrition Consult, Upper GI, Ekg, Pft, ultrasound (heart) , loads of blood studies, and then pulmonary (sleep apnea)..I didn't have to have a pap or mamo because they were within a year of my 1st lap visit. Because of my age, i don't have to have a colonoscopy (hmmm spelling?)..thank goodness for that.....but i have to say (ewww sorry) that he did do a rectal (looking for blood)...ugh how undignified...it was the first meeting!!! LOL

Let me know how you do!!