Anyone know any surgens that take medicare??????

im disabled with liver cancer and some work related injurys, i was 5days before weightloss surgery and went for my last primary visit and he said your blood work wasnt normal we have to cancel surgery, it was three years in the makeing after severel rare tumors and a blood clot in the lung and now a rare form of cancer i dont want to die from being over weight, i just got medicare and really dont know if they will pay for the wls surgery or if there is any doctors in miami that take it, i live in florida city florida...anyone know of any doctors or anything about medicare?thank you and god bless

Medicare covers the DS, RNY and Lap Band.  You just have to have surgery at a hospital and with a surgeon that has the Center of Excellence designation.  You have to have a BMI greater than 35 with at least one co-morbidity.  You can look on the Medicare website and find the hospitals that have the Center of Excellence and take Medicare.    http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.as p#TopOfPage  You can get the Medicare requirements for surgery at:  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdecisionmemo.asp?from2=viewde cisionmemo.asp&id=160&

Red

Neil, You qualify for sure to receive your choice of any of the WLS, BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I'd stake my savings that you won't be approved by anyone until your Liver Cancer is in remission or cured. Are the tumors all cleared now too? Do you have a HMO Insurance company managing your Medicare? These companies aren't going to pay out $20,000.00 if there's a slight chance your other illnesses will kill you.
Sorry for bad news but that's the facts,

well the tumors were removed, but this liver ancer is rare and i must live with for the rest of my life as long as the chemo pills keep workng, as far as hmo i just got the medicare and havent used it yet i dont even know anything about medicare yet, this is small tumors all over my liver, but if i dont have wls i surely will die of being over weight, im 5ft6in tall at 365lbs

OK Neil the next step: With Medicare if your going to use them for any of the WLS you'll need to find a Surgeon & Bariatric Program that has been awarded the status of a "Center of Excellence" .

http://www.surgicalreview.org/

Then attend their WLS Seminars, then start the progression. Make an appointment and talk with their Insurance Specialist. Also is your Primary Doctor on board with you receiving a WLS? If not you'll need to find a Primary doctor that takes Medicare and will approve your surgery choice.

Keep us updated. Mike

hey thanks this is what i needed im looking for a primary now and new oncolagyst bc now o have medicare i wont have to travel 90miles to get taken care of, thanks again

Michael-
Just because a surgeon or facility has the Center of Excellence Status does not mean that they take Medicare.  So a lot of the surgeons listed at the site you mentioned WILL NOT take medicare.  There is a list of facilities on the Medicare website that have the COE and WILL take medicare.



Red

I know the Ocala Regional Medical Center is  center of excellence and Dr. Jawad has another doctor that works with him I think it is Dr. Shabani or something like that that accepts medicare.

http://www.jawadmd.com/index.html

There is their website, maybe call them and ask some questions.  :) 

Good Luck

I spoke to someone today at Celebration Health. Dr. Kim now accepts Medicare. I'm going to the free seminar next Wednesday!