:help: :help: I just had lap band surgery on 12-29-06, and am doing well. I am researching options for my sister in Ohio, who has Kaiser (HMO) and medicare. According to her- Kaiser only covers Gastric Bypass, and not Lap Band. SHE DOES NOT want to have such a drastic surgery at her age. She is 67 yrs old. She is desperate to lose weight and will consider Lap Band if she can get approval through Kaiser. She can't afford to self-pay. She has diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. Has anyone ever had Lap Band at a referral facility through KAISER? It seems to me that since lapband is safer that they would be willing to authorize it through another facility, especially since they do that for other procedures they don't perform in their own hospitals.

If anyone knows of any way this can be done-pleeaase respond. You can pm me also at Myrmart9@aol.com.

Thanks for any help I can obtain for her

Butterfly:help: :help: :help:

Hi butterfly, good to know you're out of surgery and okay. I don't know about Kaiser but I am in Ohio. If I can be of any help let me know...

Thanks Susie,

Congratulations and good luck to you!

I used to have Kaiser but in Maryland. I changed during the open season because they would not cover Lapband. I did read somewhere that that Kaiser in CA is coveringit? You should call the customer relations and see it they will cover it for her. If not, try to change to one that will if possible. I know that Medicare will cover it if the centers are a "Center of Excellance". Good Luck Barbara

:help: :help: I just had lap band surgery on 12-29-06, and am doing well. I am researching options for my sister in Ohio, who has Kaiser (HMO) and medicare. According to her- Kaiser only covers Gastric Bypass, and not Lap Band. SHE DOES NOT want to have such a drastic surgery at her age. She is 67 yrs old. She is desperate to lose weight and will consider Lap Band if she can get approval through Kaiser. She can't afford to self-pay. She has diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. Has anyone ever had Lap Band at a referral facility through KAISER? It seems to me that since lapband is safer that they would be willing to authorize it through another facility, especially since they do that for other procedures they don't perform in their own hospitals.

If anyone knows of any way this can be done-pleeaase respond. You can pm me also at Myrmart9@aol.com.

Thanks for any help I can obtain for her

Butterfly:help: :help: :help:

To find a Medicare Ctr of Excellence see www.cms.hhs.com