FYI WLS and Medicare

I had a terrific conversation yesterday with Carrie from Dr Gibbs office. She is so positive and well informed about these procedures that I always come away from our chats with a ton of information that I didn't have before. There have been a few postings about WLS and Medicare recently, and I asked Carrie about this. Dr Gibbs and Dr Baker are the ONLY surgeons, qualified by Medicare standards, to accept Medicare patients here in Arkansas. Hope this information helps keep anyone else from driving two or three hours only to find out the doctor can't take Medicare patients. Hugs and happy Friday Eve to everyone.....don't forget to turn your clocks ahead Saturday night. Susan

Susan, Thank you so much for this info. Carolyn

i talked to carrie at dr. gibbs the other week. they also take federal BCBS. dr wellborn's office wants me to pay up front since i have this insurance. carolyn i read your post. i almost left too after i read that they didn't take my insurance, but i knew my insurance does cover the procedure now. but they told me they were going to wait to see how other doctors were paid before they will take it. i'm going to dr. gibbs seminar on the 16th. i still want lapband. i'm just not prepared to do rny personally. my best friend has the band and she is doing very well with it. i'm not knocking the rny. i see all the wonderful results the ladies on this board are having. i'm just do not want have that surgery. good luck. i know that was disheartening to drive for that seminar and find that out.

Hello, I wanted to reply and say that you can keep track of what Dr's and Hospitals can take Medicare by going to surgicalreview.org they are the ones who do the centers of excellence and certification that the hospitals and dr's have to have for Medicare. That also will save you any trouble of driving a long distance only to find that the Dr can't take Medicare.