waiting on Medicare:Center for Excellence

Hi, I am Amber and I have been a member of OH for about two hours. I am on the waiting list for Medicare to approve me. But first they have to approve a local hospital and clinic as a Center for Excellence for Bariatric Surgery. We have been waiting since January 4,2007 when they reviewed SMDC. Medicrare is my primary insurance and Medicaid, which approved me a year ago, is my secondary insurance. To re-approve me for a second year I must first be approved by Medicare. It seems abit complicated but I am optimistic that everything will just go together and I will be approved by both. I have been very enthusiasticlly reading the message boards and forums on WLS and I feel confident that I have become well educated in the procedures for all that must take place to get me to my numerous goals. Any support and advice will be greatly appreciated. My surgery choice is Lap Band. Thanks and Hugs, Amber

Welcome, Amber! So glad to have you on board. I hope your approval comes quickly for you. This is a great site for information and support, so just browse around and enjoy yourself. Take care.

Hell Mary Allen! Thanks for the immediate reply and personal support. Have you had your surgery or been approved...or still waiting? I did not think I would be on the board so quickly. I am impressed. I was first approved for lap band surgery Feb. 1,2006 by Dr. Walter Medlin of SMDC here in Duluth. Medicaid approved me after my fist denial (not enough info sent) and I was told Medicare had to approve me before I could have my surgery. It seems like a long time but I am hoping I won't have long to wait. I am 5'2", weigh 208 with a BMI of 38 and a number of health issues. I have documented my daily intake(calories, proteins, blood sugars, and exercise time plus comments for the day and goals). I wish you well and look forward to being on "the loser's bench" with you soon. Take care, Amber PS my daily accounts go back over 1 1/2 years.