Recent Posts
Topic: Help need a support Group.
I need help. I moved to Overland Park, Kansas and am looking for a support group that will except me. I was sleeved on August 4,2009 in Michigan with Dr. Farhan. Due to my hubby's job transfer I have to go back to Michigan to see my surgeon. But I can not go back once a month for support. I have lost 87 pounds sence my surgery and am now at a stall I have been 208 for almost 2 months now. I know I have had alot of stress the last few months but my eating ha not changed. I can't figure it out. Then I just got a large bill in the mail because my insurance is no longer excepted by my Michigan Surgeon. I am so scared I am going to fail. Loving this sleeve Sherri
Topic: kansas medicare panniculectomy
Hi, thought I would just ask, I am having a devil f a time finding a plastic surgeon who accepts medicare for a panni removal, I have lost over 170 lb.s and am losing maybe 2 lb.s a month now and I am so uncomfortable, my panni hangs past my groin but I am worried that the dr will see all the fat floating around in there and say it's not just loose skin so medicare won't cover it. I don't think I will really lose anymore weight until I can get some serious exercize in, which can't happen until the huge flap is gone. Please if anyone can give me some ideas I would be so grateful, I am in overland park. I heard about one in springfield, mo, but that is quite a distance...last resort. thank so much susan
Topic: RE: Does BCBS of Kansas PPO cover lap-band or any other weight loss surgery?
My Dad has BCBS of KS & his does NOT cover any forms of WLS. He just did self-pay VSG on 02/25. I think it ran around $14k through Tallgrass in Topkea.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Topic: RE: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
Medicare definitely covers the duodenal switch, but few surgeons are both skilled enough and willing to perform it.
Revision on 03/12/14
Topic: RE: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
Thank you to everyone who wrote me. I have called Dr. Anthone's office and am hopeful that my surgery may end up taking place afterall the setbacks.
FYI: I called Medicare and they DO pay for BPD/DS.
FYI: I called Medicare and they DO pay for BPD/DS.
Topic: RE: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
I am a patient and I work for KC Bariatrics but we do not do the DS. You are right we do take Medicare but Medicare does not cover the DS. So we aren't going to be any help unless you change your choice of surgery.
Wishing you much success in your WLS journey,
Connie
Wishing you much success in your WLS journey,
Connie
Topic: RE: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
Actually on their website it says that they DO take medicare, but medicare only covers RNY and Banding.
http://www.kcbariatric.com/i_bariatric_insurance.php
http://www.kcbariatric.com/i_bariatric_insurance.php
Topic: RE: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
These guys do the sleeve and i'm 99% sure they take medicare. I overheard someone talking about it in my last office visit. They're also a center of excellence.
http://www.kcbariatric.com/
Dr Hoehn is awesome.
http://www.kcbariatric.com/
Dr Hoehn is awesome.
Revision on 03/12/14
Topic: Roadblocks everywhere I turn...
I am about to give up on my dreams of DS WLS! I went to a seminar in 2007 in Iowa but moved and didn't look into anything further. Then in 2009 I decided that WLS was something that I NEEDED to do and since then I hit brick wall after brick wall. I went to TIABS (in Lenexa, KS) and did all the requirements, had a scheduled surgery date (Nov 30) and on Nov 13 I went to an appointment and found out they did not accept my secondary insurance so we cancelled everything. Then in December I went to Tallgrass in Topeka and had to jump through more hoops & paperwork, which I just finished and Tallgrass calls to tell me they are no longer taking my insurances (Medicare and Medicaid). So I call several doctors in KS, MO & CO and they either didn't take my insurances or don't do the DS. Today I called insurance and found out I could buy a "Medigap" policy and it would pay what Medicare wouldn't, so I called TIABS back and asked how soon could they do the surgery (remember I had had it scheduled with them once) and a lady comes on to tell me that Dr. Saborwal won't do the surgery on me due to the recommendation from my family doctor on Nov. 19 (a date by which time I had cancelled my appt/surgery with TIABS-so I have no idea why he would be talking to another, unknown-to-me-doc about me) anyway, (I had just seen my family doctor this week and I KNEW he was all for me having this surgery) so I asked who they were talking about and was told "Dr. McKnight". I told them this is not my primary doctor and I don't even know who Dr. McKnight is, unless he was an ER doc at OMC and had met me there. She said "yes, he is" and I said "well he's not my primary and doesn't know me, I even took an MMPI this week and passed and my psych. and family doctor would have different opinions since they know me and could I have Dr. Saborwal talk to them and she said "possibly, but once he makes up his mind he usually sticks to his decision" and she hung up! WTF?! I otained a number for this Dr. Knight and left him a voicemail to please call me and let me know what he told another doctor about me, especially since I didn't give either one permission to talk about me. Then I called and left Dr. Saborwal a message to please call me and inform me of the issue and what was said. I am ANGRY and now don't know what to do. As a side note: when I first met Dr. Saborwal and said I wanted the BPD/DS he said "no way" since I have a fatty liver. Anyone have any thoughts or ideas? And if you know of any doctors who will do the DS AND accepts Medicare in KS or close by please let me know.
Topic: RE: Does BCBS of Kansas PPO cover lap-band or any other weight loss surgery?
Hi Jessica -
If you haven't already, try to get a copy of your insurance coverage statement or call the customer service center and ask specifically if your policy covers weight loss surgery. if you determine it doesn't, start talking to the surgeons in your area. I've heard great things about the surgeons at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City and they are advertising a special for the Band right now for $11,999 and they also show on their webiste that they have financing options available. (http://www.kcbariatric.com/). Maybe call them and see what they would recommend. Either way, good luck! It sounds like you are determined so hopefully everything will work out!
Good luck to you!
Warm Regards,
Kim
If you haven't already, try to get a copy of your insurance coverage statement or call the customer service center and ask specifically if your policy covers weight loss surgery. if you determine it doesn't, start talking to the surgeons in your area. I've heard great things about the surgeons at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City and they are advertising a special for the Band right now for $11,999 and they also show on their webiste that they have financing options available. (http://www.kcbariatric.com/). Maybe call them and see what they would recommend. Either way, good luck! It sounds like you are determined so hopefully everything will work out!
Good luck to you!
Warm Regards,
Kim
Kim Brown, [email protected] - Improving Access to Weight Loss Surgery