Medicare "Center of Excellence"

Is there any one else out here waiting for a surgery date? I have been waiting since Feb. for a surgery date. Medicare has put a stop on all hospitals until they meet the requirements for a "Center of Excellence". Here in Michigan there are only two hospitals who have recieved their awards. One in Grand Rapids and one in Flint. I live in the Mt. Clemens area and thought about going to Flint but they couldn't get me in for surgery until the end of Sept. I am currently with the Cori Center and Dr. M. Woods at Harper Hospital and they're hoping for their approval by mid Sept. so, I guess I'll be patient a little while longer. This wait has been very discourging, I could have been down at least 50lbs. by now.

From what I understand Harper Hospital got theirs a week or 2 ago. Might want to call CORI and inquire about it! Hang in there.......the worst part of the battle is over (insurance approval) and you will be a loser soon. We will keep the bench warm for you!!!! Jennifer

Hi Kathy, Sorry I haven't written. I thought Harper was supposed to get theirs sometime this month. I know that they had the inspection and passed. They were just waiting for the certificate. I know the person who just became the Bariatric Co-ordinator for Harper. He actually just started the position 2 weeks ago, but I don't think that had any bearing on the inspection. Having done inspections of this sort, there's lots questions and paperwork involved. I'll try to find out on Monday. The certificate might have been issued and just not posted to the web yet. I know that the ASBS site doesn't list Hurley, just Spectrum. I'll try to remember to call you today. It's just that there is this pool right outside my door. I go out after work and just don't want to come in. Jeanne

Not true~Henry Ford main campus in Detroit is a center of excellence, and they are the top hospital in Michigan, and one of the top 20 across the nation best wishes to you. God bless, Annette

I too am going through CORI and have Medicare and am waiting. I was told within the next 30-60 days for sure, and this was on July 18. They told me they would call and let me know once they received it. I'm hoping it will be soon, I would ideally like to have surgery within the next 2 months. Call CORI and find out if they're any closer to knowing.

Here's what I found out today. Harper's Center of Excellence through the SRC (Surgical Review Corporation) is still pending. They had their inspection on June 14th and from that time on it takes about 90 days to get the certificate. What happens is that after the inspection the report goes to one of two doctors for approval. They review them between their own patients. Harper has recieved the Center of Excellence from JACHO and also Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan. They have also applied for grant money under a U of M study, where all patients undergoing Bariatric Surgery will be placed in a database. Sorry I know this isn't really good news but then medicare/medicaid is run by the government, so we have to be patient. The ninety days should be up soon. Jeanne

According to my MCare insurance, we have to use a Center of Excellence as well. They list UofM, Hurley Medical Center (Flint), and William Beaumont in Royal Oak and Troy as Centers of Excellence that we can use. It's funny because I'm using UofM, but I couldn't find them listed on the ASBS website as a Center. Angela