Help!!!!!!!

http://www.surgicalreview.org/pcoe/centers.html here is a website that tells a bit more about COE..also you can type in your search engine amercian society of bariatric surgeons to find out more

Brenda, Thanks so much! I will go to this site right away and clue myself in on everything. It does help to know more. You are a great bariatric mentor.

Brenda, How is it that you know so much about this subject? (Medicare & COE) I really want to thank you for keeping me upbeat!! And you are probably right -- I wouldn't get in any sooner if I went somewhere else. But, wouldn't you think that -- if a facility KNEW they had to have this, they would have been on the ball BEFORE they actually had to have it? I mean, if the lady said she had the same problem LAST year, you would think they would KNOW they needed it this year too. I feel like a rubberband right now. ha ha Pulled one way and the other at the same time. Sooner or later one end is going to slip. I just hope I fly in the right direction.... ha ha Anyway... Thanks again for all of your help! Sharee

Hi Sharee I am a patient advocate and have worked with centers/hospitals and surgeons from Dayton, Ohio down to the lexington area..I have also worked on ObesityHelp conferences. ..When this was passed it was very sudden and no one was told Medicare was doing it..One day the ruling came down and the same time the centers and surgeons were notified. They just simply did not know ahead of time Medicare was going to require them to be a COE.. Now that the ruling is official the centers are working hard to get this done, but ASBS only has so many inspectors, they actually come to an on site inspection..this takes about 6 hrs. for them to go over everything, the information goes back to a board of ASBS and is reviewed..it takes about 90 days for their ruling. Again I can't express this enough, the surgeons and centers are more anxious than you know to get this done. Hang in there, it will happen for you..I believe you said earlier it's Sept 15th?...that's coming up very soon!! I am glad I can help..email me anytime if you need some extra support.. Brenda

Brenda, I am glad you are a patient advocate. I need one right now... ha ha When was this ruling set into stone? It must have been February 23, 2006! ha ha Because everything was o****il that day. I was told that their inspection has already taken place, on June 15th. So, that much is said and done. I wonder if the 90 days is going to turn into 90 working days. That will make it even longer! I am anxiously awaiting their call. Ten more days, and counting down!! Thanks for the info. I hope I have an angel like you to guard over me during my journey! Sharee

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1786 Sharee..here ya go!!! the article we all wanted to read. Go to this site and read about medicares decision to cover WLS and the decision to only cover those with a COE ... it was made in Feb of 2006...now ya know what it happened when it did with Norton. Brenda

Brenda, Thanks so much! I'm going there right now and read it. You are a Godsend!! I hope you will be here for at least the next year to 18 months, to help me through all of this. ha ha Thanks again!! i REALLY NEED TO FIND SOMETHING TO FOCUS MY MIND ON FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS OR SO. Any ideas? Any really good books to suggest, or ANYTHING!!! I don't get out at all, so keep it something around the house, please. ha ha I feel fat, and ugly, and I don't go anywhere. That's the major reason I want this over and done. I am missing out on watching my daughter play volleyball and basketball, and other things she is involved in too. We also foster children!! But it is convenient having someone at home and someone to go with them. My husband makes the trips by himself. And, I can't wait to do things with EVERYONE again!! Sharee

Sharee, Hang in there! I know Norton's dowton is very along in the process to getting the COE. Site visit was done a while ago so they are waiting for their final approval. I operate at Norton Suburban hospital and we are far into the process as well. David Geller, MD

Dr. Gellar, Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying! ha ha I really liked the staff and Dr. Rodriquez. I have waited a long time. Most people have gone elsewhere. But, I tend to be a loyal person. I also like the best, and I'm told that he is the best. This is just one of those things I have no control over and it is making me miserable. ha ha I think it is odd that they have not approved anyone in the Louisville area, but have approved three in Lexington. I'm watching very closely now. They were first inspected on June 15, 2006. So, September 15th will be around the 90 day mark. I will check the medicare/gov site everyday until I see their approval listed. Thanks again for your support. I admire all of you surgeons that help people like me get their lives back. I'm sure I speak for all when I say, I don't know what we would do without you! Sharee

You know, I just want to say that my confidence is reinforced when I read posts made by surgeons, assuring potential patients on the protocol regarding the surgery or just to reassure them about the surgery. I want to say thank you to all the surgeons that take the time to read and respond to our never ending questions. I for one am grateful! P.S. Brenda, many thanks to you. There is nothing more better than having an advocate ready to answer questions from mechanics to fears whenever they pop up in our heads. Dee