medicare

Hey all, I have Medicare Part A and will be receiving Part B in July. Was wondering if anyone could tell me if Medicare A will pay for the lap band or do I need to wait until i get the Part B?.. Thanks so much.. Good Luck all.. Tina

Hello, I have Medicare A and B, and I am not sure which one pays for the surgery but I know that they pay for the lapband. Currently there are only 2 Dr's (Dr John W. Baker and Dr. Gibbs both in Little Rock) in Arkansas who can do weightloss surgery and one hospital (Baptist in Little Rock) You can probably call one of them and ask them about the Part A.

Thank you so much. I actually talked to Dr. Baker's office this morning and they told me that I needed to wait until July when I get the Part B of Medicare. I can't wait until then to find out if I can go forward with this procedure. I hope everything goes well. I am so looking forward to being able to do this. Thanks again and God Bless... Tina

Hi Tina, I have medicare part A & B and I'm useing Dr. Baker...I talked to his office today and they told me that medicare has approved the Dr. and the hospital. I'm not sure how much i'll have to pay out of pocket. Dr Baker gave me a number to call at the hospital to find out ...they couldn't really tell me but did say there hadn't been to many done with medicare yet...but if I had met my deductable i shouldn't have to pay any out of pocket. I think Dr. Baker's office told me it would be about $260 outa pocket there...and he requirs a pre-op diet...have to drink shakes and they cost $129 i'm not sure if medicare will pay for those. I had to pay for my physic valuation up front and if medicare pays anything it will only be about $50. and it cost me $120. I'm sure I will owe my primary Dr. some too for the blood work cause medicare only pays 80%. I'm not sure about my colonostpy I hope medicare will pay atleast 80% of that. And i'm pretty sure the hospital will set up a payment plan on the out of pocket cost. Good luck with your journey...I can't wait to get my life back. If I do owe outa pocket I look at it as a good investment cause i'm gona be healthier.

johnnie, so dr. baker does require a pre-op diet. is it a certain diet, and how long do you have to be on it? or is it a series of diets? i can't wait until july when i get part B medicare. im sooooo ready to lose all this weight and to be able to put my shoes on without having to hold my breath.lol.. anyways, thank you all very much for all the help and information. this site is awesome. everyone on here is so great and NON judgemental... dont find that often.. but sure am glad i did.. good luck everyone...and yes it will be a good investment. i wouldnt mind having to pay out some also...

Tina, Everyone I know of that has used Dr. Baker has had to do the pre-op shake diet...you just drink five shakes a day for about 2 weeks ...know one that only had to do a week. You have to use the shakes you get from his office. My best friend had her surgrey Feb 28 and I tried some of her shakes...they aren't bad. You can add friut to them and sugar free instant pudding ..they are actually pretty good. I know she had a problem drinking 5 a day ...she usually only got 3 or 4 in. I don't think you can go wrong with Dr. Baker...hes really strict but its all just to help you...if he says "if you eat it you will get sick" ..believe it....lol...you will get sick...but I know when my friend goes by his rules she makes it fine.

Hey guys, I have medicare a and b. I had my surgery Feb 12 w/Dr. Baker, whom I think is the best there is. I paid for my pre op diet shakes, medicare does not pay for them. I recieved a bill from Baptist, my part was like $62, and I have not gotten a bill from Dr. Baker at all. The pre op diet is shakes (five a day) to cleanse the body and get your liver to shrink by losing weight pre op. He dont like to work around a fatty liver if you have one. I survived the shakes, and lived to tell about it. I lost 9 lbs on the shakes, but have dropped a total of 51 pounds since I started this journey, and thank God daily for John W. Baker. He is the bomb. Hope this helps!!! Hey Johnnie, send me an update on Sherry please?? You guys gonna try the support group meeting on April 12? Hugs, Rhonda

Hey Rhonda, Thanks for posting.. I wasn't sure what the pre-op diet was. I'm glad you clarified that one for me. Makes sense now.lol..congratulations on the weight loss. congrats to you all. I think you all are awesome.. One ?, if you have the surgery done by dr. baker in L.R. is it possible to go to a seminar here in batesville where i'm at? there is a dr. here that does the surgery. The only reason I'm not using him is because he doesnt accept Medicare.

I'm not sure about the seminar Tina, but if its possible for you, i would really try and go to LR for Dr. Bakers seminar. You'll get to meet him and you will find out all his requirments. And you will also meet some of his other patients. I would call Dr. Baker's office and ask though.

Hi Rhonda, Good to hear from you Sherry's doing great ...she goes for her post-op exam Friday...we can't wait...I think at last check she has lost 41 pounds. We just might try to make the group meeting ...i may have to go to another to get quaified...not sure.How's Angie doing? Sounds like your doing great...i'm glad to hear that.