I don't have any diet documentation. DO you know what theres are? Do you always have to have a diet documented and for how long?

Thanks!

Rene

I use Kaiser and they won't do lap band. They will only do a RNY. You have to have a BMI over 50 and two comorbidities (high bp, diabetes, chronic back pain, etc).

My BMI was a measly 47 and I ONLY have high bp....so I'm doing self pay because Kaiser is woefully behind the times.

I have both Kaiser and Medicare insurance. Kaiser does not cover the band but only RNY. I went outside of Kaiser and used my Medicare benefits to get the band. I was approved after the fact as Medicare does not pre-approve. I had to have a BMI over 40 and at least two co-morbidities which I did. I paid 20% of what Medicare considered reasonable and customary. The surgery cost me approx. $1500 which included a $799 program fee which was not reimburseable by insurance. Medicare has also covered my fills.

By the way, I am in Maryland. I don't know if you can go outside of Kaiser and use your Medicare benefits in other state. If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer.

Stephanie

Hi I'm in California. I have medicare senior advantage Kaiser. I went to the NIH last yr and loved it for my chronic disease which I still have. Anyway I swear I read somewhere Kaiser does cover lap in san fran. I guess I was wrong. I could dis enroll and just use medicare.

When did you get yours?? 40 BMI and TWo medical conditions??? Thats a lot. Did you have to show proof of diets that failed? I do know I have read medicare does consider obesity a disease now of its own. Maybe they changed thier quidelines.

Your right that different Kaisers do different things.

Thanks all for the info. I think I'll go to San Fran too to get mine done.

Thanks,

Rene