A Beginner!! Help!!

Hi everyone, I am in the very early stages of getting things rolling with the surgery. I am on Social Security Disability with Medicare/Medicare Masterpiece insurance. I am curious for anyone else that has this insurance, and any incouraging words?? Also, I am thinking that it should take about 6 months to get everything together and approved, am I close on this?

Hey Heidi I had my surgery on 11-3-25. I am also on Dis/SS. Now, It has changed somewhat since my surgery but the big thing is to jump thru all their hoops. I made sure all my MD recomendations included the "back to work" frame of mind. That is the biggest thing Medicare is interested in. Also I had all my documentation of past dieting with MD's and failures. Also I started seeing a mental health person way before my surgery. I had to go thru the mental health person Medicare uses for the area. It went fine. I got all this done and after the surgery the claim was paid withing the month. They do not "approve" you before hand. But document and run down all the documents you can. That can slow your process down. best dj

Hi Heidi I want to say WELCOME to OH and wish you well on your WLS journey. I had my consult on 4/19/05 and surgery on 8/15/05,,so it was 4 months for me. Best wishes Priscilla

Hi Heidi- Just with Patrice at Surgical Associates I know they are taking medicare now (352) 368-2828. Good luck to you and let me know. I don't think it should take 6 months but if it does - (which I don't think) - it's worth waiting for to change your life forever! Good luck and keep me posted

Heide, I'm on SSD and using Humana Gold Plus to Manage my health care. I'm about to have my Open RNY on May 10th. There are a few Important things you need to do. First make sure if your using Insurance which you indicate you are, Make sure they'll cover any of the Procedures. Next get to your Primary and start a Doctor's Supervised Diet for how ever long they require. Mine was 6 months. You need to get weighed-in monthly and read what your doctor has written. To say what diet your following, how much you've "Lost or Gained", And changes un the diet and your total. Next is go to seminars and support meeting of Surgeon's your interested in. I'm using Dr.Rehnke at the Palms of Pasadena, in St.Petersburg. But my Primary is sending me to St.Petersburg General Hospital. Dr.Rehnke's on staff there to as my Primary doesn't have visiting rights at the Palm. There is also Dr.Murr at Tampa General. The thing for Approval is that NOW as of Feb. 21st, 2006. Medicare requires the you can only receive any of the Weight Loss Surgeries. It has to be performed at Hospital and by a Surgeon who has receieved the "Center of Excellence Award". Both Tampa General and Palm of Pasadena have been awarded this. Good Luck on your New Life Journey, Mike