Medicare

Well phooy. Medicare passed the law saying they would pay for the surgery but tacked a little deal on there that says only in a certified center of excelence. and none of the Hospitals or clinics I have check are certified. So now the hospitals are scrambling to get certified . They have to send in money and paper work and then wait for a on=site visit. So with all the hospitals there are nation wide can you imagine how long that will take. Then on top of that Mary at Dr. Hodges just told me yesterday that Dr. Hodges doesnt operate on anyone over 65. This is like a catch 22 movie. Like I said before I will leave it to God and it seems like he keeps closing doors in my face so maybe I ought to stop. Jan

Jan... I'm all for the leaving it up to God thing... I'm not all for the him closing doors so I think I will stop thing though... Issues and incidents happen for a reason... and I don't believe that this is a sign from the almighty that you aren't to have this surgery. Keep doing what you NEED to do and things will work out... You HAVE to believe this way honey... things will work themselves out and you will be joining us on the loosers side before you know it. I understand the frustration that you are going through right now... it is horrible... but hang in there. Use this to help you stay on the straight and narrow after having your surgery.. anything worth having is worth fighting for! Vent all you want...we are here to help! Elizabeth~

yeah i really know that but for some reason it isnt my time yet , but at 65 i dont want to waste any more years. I have been on a high protein low carb diet since I started this whole process and drinking lots of water and taking a good vit complex so i will be in the best of health possible when i do get to go. Im not giving up yet but it just seems like I go two steps forward and one step back. I am closer now than I was earlier. It is just a matter of waiting until someplace gets their certification. Thanks for letting me vent. It is very flustration. They should give us all awards for grit or something. lol

Hey Jan, sorry to hear of the restrictions but DON'T GIVE UP!!! Call Medicare and find out from them if there are any certified centers in the state. You can even check Arkansas or Oklahoma or even Kansas. Work within there guidelines and you will get this done. I am praying for you to be able to get this done. Wayne

that is what i intended to do today Wayne. I will find one somewhere surely. I did find one in Dallas already but they dont take Medicare or anyone over 65 lol wouldnt you know it? Will keep trying and maybe it wont be a long drawn out process for them to get certification

You might check w/Dr. Hornbostel's office in Sedalia, MO. He does his surgeries at Bothwell Regional Health Center. I'm pretty sure he has done surgery on patients older than 65 and has patients that have Medicare. The doctor and his office staff are all great! Good luck! Don't give up! ~Stac

Hi Stacy I have already checked with Dr. Hornbostel office and the girl i talked to was really rude, she may have been just stressed out or something but she said no right now we have had to put all our medicare appointment on hold untill we get certified.

The girls from Dr. Hornbostel's office have always been very nice to me. I am sure they are very stressed with all of this Medicare stuff also. I was supposed to have my surgery March 31st. I was so looking forward to it but it has been canceled because of Medicare's new rules. They approved it then said no. Go figure. Anyway I am just waiting for the hospital to get the rating it needs. May God Keep and Bless you all. LadySky

yeah like i said i think they were probably just so stressed . She said she had been on the phone all day canceling or putting on hold surgeries. but anyway I think I will just get my doctor to start documenting my diet that I am on so i will have that proof and when they get approved then I will be ready. thanks for the email. Jan

Jan- Wow! Did that law go into effect already? I was lucky( I had my rNY done in November) and I am Medicaire. I had it done in Sedalia at Dr. Hornbostels. I am 68. I did fantastic and have now lost 57 pounds. I am sorry you ran into this snag. I will be praying that something will happen soon for you. Colette