Medicare question...

Do I have to contact Medicare for spproval myself or is it all done by the Endocrinologist? Today my GP told me that she thought that I contact Medicare and not the specialist. I am confused.

The specialist in charge of your care is supposed to submit the papers..I saw Dr. Angela McGibbon here in Fredericton and she was awesome! She submitted the papers for me without me even asking her or without me even knowing to surprise me cuz she knew I'd been wanting the surgery for a while..and she appealed it for me as well when I got rejected the first time..So for anyone in Fredericton trying to get approved through medicare for the RNY..I'd suggest being sent to her.

Hi Charline - mine was done by the endo as well.

Mine was the endo as well. I went to Dr Dornan in Saint John. And he sent the papers that day I was in to see him, and I was accepted first thing the day after. Although the letters got lost in the mail and it took me a month to figure that out. So keep on top of it all!

Then endo did mine also! So there you have it... your GP is wrong LOL

That is what I thought. My Dr has never had anyone have surgery despite having referred a number of people over the last several years. I told her several things that she didn't know, which I learned from "you all". She didn't know that Dr McGibbon is the only specialist in Fredericton who will do the necessary paper work for Medicare, & that you don't see Dr B until you are accepted by Medicare, nor are you on a waiting list either. She didn't know that the patient pays for the lapband nor that you can self-pay with Dr B. If you self-pay, you go to the front of the list too. Thanks for all your help!

Hi there! Mine was also done by the endo. As for the self-pay and go to the front of the list...that is not true you still have to wait, although not as long as bypass. It is a quicker route, but they still remian fair. Best of luck!