Medicare Woes

For two years I've debated about this surgery...then when everything is falling into place, all the testing is done and I quit smoking and all is ready for scheduling..........medicare decides they want the hospital to have some friggin' certification to offer bariatric surgery to medicare patients. I swear those bureaucratic PIAs are bugging my phone!! HELP, I'm so discouraged. Someone out there tell me it'll all be okay...and I swear I'm not a dissadent (now if it were back in the late 60s that might be another story for another time), I love my country and my government...I just want to have some surgery here.........anyone else out there feeling this way at this time? The hospital I am going to have the surgery is a University Hospital, it has been around for a lonnnnngggg time and JCAH has already given its bariatric division their Gold Seal of Approval, for crying out loud. Makes a body want to smoke a pack of Kools, eat a chocolate cake and kick the cat!! And that's all I have to say about THAT! Mary

same thing here but hurley should have there coe certification in a few weeks keep the faith stay strong

Mary, in February I attended the Seminr @ the Gateway near Grand Blanc for McClaren Bariatric. I had been set up for my visitation with the surgeon when I got the call that medicare was requiring accrediation of Excellence..... The only one is in Grand Rapids Michigan, so off I went to their orientation program. Next week for psyhic eval and to see the surgeon the 18th. Nice surroundings, well informed staff..... My only concern is will medicare pay for it.....I do know I have to pay about $225.00 up front next week than another $825.00 just before the surgery. McClaren told me it will take them about a year to get their accrediation. Keep your spirits high. Connie