has anyone had medicare to pay for the surgery

I am trying to get approved through Medicare and if you hear anything about it could you tell Me?

Thank You

Hi my dr. says that there should be no problem I haven't heard anything as of yet it has been 3or4 weeks I also have blue cross / blue shield when I hear anything definiteI will get back to you Betty

I've heard that medicare does indeed pay for the band, and precertification isn't even necessary. I guess they determine whether it was medically necessary when the claim is submitted.

Your doctor is probably the best resource for this information. If precert is not required, there'd be absolutely no way to get an assurance that it will be paid for. If you are 100% that you qualify medically, there shouldn't be a problem, but that's where your doc's expertise is crucial.

I have Medicare and they paid for my surgery and for Dr. visits, nutritionist, phyc. eval, the works. No pre qualify. of course they paid the 80% and I paid 20%.

Medicare and my Medi-Gap insurance paid for everything. I met the weight and BMI requirements. I was NOT required to have a psy. exam, sleep exam, nutrition counseling, etc. I had had a recent stress test so did not have to repeat that either.

I was approved in 3 days. My surgery was scheduled 8 days after my consultation with my doctor. I was given tons of reading material and had been on the internet for months doing research.

Hope this helps,

has anyone had medicare to pay for the surgery

If you google medicare lapband it will say that medicare is researching the band and doesn't cover it yet. This was a big deal months ago when medicare deleted obesity isn't considered a disease. It was on CNN and CnN announced medicare is considering covering it and they were supposed to have an answer after 5 month review.

I called a major lapband office in San Francisco and she said no medicare doesn't cover it and spoke to medicare offten. She did say doctors can fudge on the coding and get it covered but their office doesn't do that. I also called Sacramentos lapband offices and got the same thing.

Both lapband offices said that medicare will pay for the hospital part (a few thousand?) and that I'd have to pay for the surgeons fee. So you can save a little that way.

My girlfriend had Medicare & they covered her lapband & all her fills 100% - she was approved in less than 2 months from start to finish.

I have Medicare and state Medicaid. I was approved for surgery in less then a month. Medicare at this point has no prequalifications for approval. However there are very little doctors that will do the surgery with this insurance because they only get paid the very mininum for this procedure, so they will tell you Medicare doesn't cover. But it does.

That's great that medicare paid. Do you know how much medicare paid to the hospital and how much medicare paid to the doctor??

Medicare paid 80% of the surgery cost - 75% of pre op requirements - 90% of post op care (including fills even under fluro). Because I also have medicaid, they paid the remainder of the bill/costs.

I am trying to get approved through Medicare and if you hear anything about it could you tell Me?

Thank You

Hi my name is Linda and I also am on medicare, I live in Fl. I called my surgeon, my first appt will be May 19th, I was told that medicare does pay for it if I meet all the requirements, and that if I have co medical obesity issues, which I do so I am very excited to meet my Dr and find out for sure what will take place next. Have you had your 1st visit with the Surgeon yet. Thank you, Linda:tongue:

I had my surgery in 2006. Have had a tummy tuck and currently weigh 133 pounds..Medicare paid and what they didn't Tricare (military ins. picked up) I have had a good experience except for early days when eating out. I felt deprived but have since gotten over all that. I now know how to handle my self like a pro. My doctor just saw me for an anniversary checkup and he was thrilled with me and my weight. I don't expect any problems and have had none in the past. Hope this helps!

Sandy

PS I lived in Sarasota since 1987 and moved to minnesota in 2003.

I am very pleased with my band and would recommend to anyone.

I should post a new photo. I do look pretty good now at 62 Years Old

PSS: I had High blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, depression, just had a bit of trouble with getting through the psych appt. but finally made it. The first pscyh Dr. was being extremely careful. The second one I got much more comfortable with her so made it in a couple months.

Edited May 11, 201016 yr by Sandybells

Hi my name is Linda and I also am on medicare, I live in Fl. I called my surgeon, my first appt will be May 19th, I was told that medicare does pay for it if I meet all the requirements, and that if I have co medical obesity issues, which I do so I am very excited to meet my Dr and find out for sure what will take place next. Have you had your 1st visit with the Surgeon yet. Thank you, Linda:tongue:

Hi Sandiebell, I go today to talk to my sergion will let you know what he says when I get home.:w00t:

Has anyone that has Medicare had a revision to Gastric Bypass and it be covered?

I have Medicare and state Medicaid. I was approved for surgery in less then a month. Medicare at this point has no prequalifications for approval. However there are very little doctors that will do the surgery with this insurance because they only get paid the very mininum for this procedure, so they will tell you Medicare doesn't cover. But it does.

medicare does want precerts done,they include psyhc,gastro,lung,heart and primary doc:eek: