Medicare

[mokee 588]

Just wanted to inform everyone that Medicare does pay for the sleeve. Had surgery 5 weeks ago and just got the hospital bill &medicare did pay for real. I know there has been a lot of questions whether they would pay or not. Hope this helps ones that are on the fence.

[Diamondeyed 399]

Mokee God bless you for this post....my mother has been wondering and has a appointment set and is in great need of the sleeve...thanks!

[carstanger 346]

What state do you live in ? Michigan did not pay for mine and I was 65(Blue Cross managed care)

[Diamondeyed 399]

Texas

[scsleever 104]

In North Carolina and South Carolina, Medicare will pay for the sleeve if you are 64 or YOUNGER. . They will pay for RNY regardless of age, but I don't want to have the intestinal bypass procedure. I just turned 66, so I'll be heading to Mexico for my surgery.

[mokee 588]

I was 66 when I had the surgery. How can Medicare be so different from state to state. I do know one thing that my surgeon did do one thing and contacted Medicare and got it thru somehow in 2 months after they passed the bill that they were paying.

If you are going by what customer service at Medicare tells you, they do not know. When I called customer service they never heard of the sleeve. Have your surgeons office call my surgeon and find out how he did it. It would mean a lot more patients for him.

[scsleever 104]

Hi mokee,

What state do you live in? I know that it is covered in some states, regardless of age.

Unfortunately, it's my surgeon's office that is telling me that my Medicare region has an age limit of 64. Plus, I've done quite a bit of internet research, and found the "Local Coverage Determination" criteria for my regional Medicare administrator (Palmetto); it also said 64.

So, unless something dramatic happens and changes that ruling, I'll be off to Mexico for my sleeve.

[jackpell 17]

I live in central Florida and Medicare paid for mine. Just started this January. I am 69 years old. i was sleeved Jan 11th.