medicare coverage

Hello all I have a question for anyone who has medicare and has had the surgery. How hard is it for them to cover the surgery? I've contacted medicare and was told that If I have a bmi over 40 and another co-morbid obesity symptom they would cover. I don't want to get my hopes up if that's not the case. chargysmom

I have medicare. They paid for my surgery. I was told Medicare does NOT preappove but As long as you meet the BMI and maybe at least 1 c-morb. then you should be good to go. Pam

When i had my surgery, last July, the requirements were set by the local 3rd party payers for medicare and in my area that required 6 months of documented dieting, 2 comorbids and a doctor's declaration of medical neccessity. I was real iffy on some of it and had to sign waivers saying if medicare didn't pay, i would. Luckily (?) they found a hernia and charged medicare for that and not the bypass (even though they did both! my surgeon said it was a 2 for 1 sale lol.) I do believe there are now nationwide standards for medicare so it's different now (and easier). Good luck.

Medicare pays regardless but it has to be performed at a Center of Excellence. You can find one in Michigan at this link.... http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp#TopOfPage