Hi all! New to the forum and while browsing i read some of you used medicare so i decided to call once again after previously being told NO.

i also got the following link to find approved facilities:

Bariatric Surgery

she said

BMI must be 35+

must have weight related illness such as asthma,diabetes,etc etc

previously been unsuccesful at weightloss

go to an approved facility

i am so thrilled! i am attending the seminar next week at my approved hospital!!!:drool:

I live in Kennewick washington and I am trying to find a lapband surgeon that accepts medicare. I am willing to go to spokane but not much further...can anyone help

Have you found anyone?

My mother is in Bellingham, WA and is looking for a surgeon that will take Medicare.

Thanks!!

I live in Kennewick washington and I am trying to find a lapband surgeon that accepts medicare. I am willing to go to spokane but not much further...can anyone help

Hi, I am going to have my lapband done in Vancouver, WA at SWMedical center. It is approved with medicare and my insurance provider as well. I have had the preliminary meetings with the doctor, the dietician, the psychologist and the physical therapist, so now all I have to do is have the sleep apnea test and then meet the surgeon. I have been very impressed with the people I have met. So maybe vancouver is not to far for you! Best wishes to you!

patsyo

Have you found anyone?

My mother is in Bellingham, WA and is looking for a surgeon that will take Medicare.

Thanks!!

Puget Sound Surgical Center has an office in Edmonds, WA & I think Bellingham as well. Both Drs. Landerholm & Billings are excellent.

They took BCBS & medicate for me in 2007.

The fees for the dietitician & psychologist were NOT covered by EITHER insurance or medicare.

I wish you the best in finding a surgeon.

I had my surgery at University of Washington. they were wonderful. They the Medical and Medical.

Carol

It is usually 6 months total within last 2 years with 3 of those being consecutive in one program. Or a multidisciplinary plan that prepares you for surgery for 3 months.

Edited May 8, 200917 yr by TxRNLori
typo

Hi all! New to the forum and while browsing i read some of you used medicare so i decided to call once again after previously being told NO.

i also got the following link to find approved facilities:

Bariatric Surgery

she said

BMI must be 35+

must have weight related illness such as asthma,diabetes,etc etc

previously been unsuccesful at weightloss

go to an approved facility

i am so thrilled! i am attending the seminar next week at my approved hospital!!!

I'm glad you found out that Medicare would pay for the procedure. I've known it for over 2 years now, and am still not banded. Some of the reason for that has nothing to do with Medicare, but Medicare does require you to do 6 months of a dr supervised weight loss before they will pay. I've run into the issue of a Center of Excellence being a problem for me. My surgeon did practice at a Center of Excellence, but he opened a private practice in another city, and the hospital there isn't certified yet. I'm still in limbo waiting for them to get that certification.

Good luck with your journey! I'm sure it won't be as long as mine has been.

Joan

Is Medicare insurance through your work, self or other? How can I purchase or receive this?

Hi,

Medicare insurance is not avaiable until you are 65 or if you are on social security for disability. From what I have been told, alot of private insurance companies are covering lap band and bypass if you have a medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high BMI--if you have insurance where you work, ask for a list of what they cover.

I know when I worked, we had a wonderful booklet of all the things that were covered. Good luck!! Patsy:thumbup:

I was told and read that the supervised diet was not required. Hoping that's so :/ I haven't done it yet and don't plan on it. Also medicare told me that if the doctor approves it they will approve it. Only co morbidity is sleep apnea though bmi over 40

Do you know when they changed this rule? When I initially started this long journey, Medicare did not require the medically supervised diet. After I had a different surgery for another reason and was able to started working on getting the lap-band again after the end of 1 year, Medicare started requiring the supervised diet sometime during that year. So, I don't know what the rule is now, but I know what the rule was a year ago when I started the supervised diet program. Please let us know where you got your information.

Thanks,

Joan

Hi Joan,

I don't know a thing about medicare requiring a special preop diet, I think its up to your physican, and mine requires one. She wanted me to loose as much weight as possible to help my liver. I have found thru the blogs that alot of pre diets vary, from none, to low fat, etc etc!! Thats all I know--So good luck to you--Patsy:thumbup:

how did you apply for medicare even if you arent 65 cause i've been to just about every website but I cant find were to apply and do I get plan A and B? im totally confused

:: I have Medicaid and as far as I know they don't cover lap-band in SC. Anyone know anything different? My BMI is 48.6. I'm 265 and standing at a measly 5 2'. I have no idea where to begin. I was going to see about financing my surgery and Leave medicaid out of it since they won't help with it at all. Idk what to do. I really need advice.

I'm on Medicare-the name of my plan is Delaware Physicians Care. I am on Medicare because at first I was out on sick leave and had no income, and now I am on social security disability.

I was speaking to an agent from my insurance, and she did verify that my insurance (Medicare) will cover lap band surgery as long as the patient meets certain criteria such as weight, bmi, diseases, etc.

I go in on Monday for my consultation with the surgeon :w00t:

I too am going to have the lapband surgery and going thru medicare have they told u what ur copay would be? Mine said for the lapband surgery it would b over 7000 dollars and for the gastric it would be 10000 dollars let me know what ur's says

:thumbup:Hi, Im Stacey I live in Derry Nh and have Medicare as my primary and Anthem new England as a secondary, when I called Medicare, they said as they would cover the lap band as long as I fit their criteria, had a BMI of over 40 , had at least 1 health issue related to obesity, went to one of their Centers Of Excellence, and had failed attempts at other diets.

I did not have to do any special diet before surgery, just did weight watchers to loose some weight before my surgery, I am being banded on Nov 9,09 and hope that Anthem will pick up the other 20% . This was a very easy process for me and didnt need to wait for any approvals...they just booked it!