does medicare pay for gastric sleeve?

hi i have medicare and medicaid. medicare is my primary insurance. medicaid secondary/ medicare told me yesterday that they dont pay for the gastric sleeve. even though the surgeon said thats the only one they can do because of health risks. is that true?

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I have medicare and my doc is going posible goint to do the sleeve he says when he gets in there he will go with the sleeve if the ryn doesnt look to be the best bet. So I dont think he would do that if it was not covered. Hope that helps Linda

Medicare only pays for Lap Band, gastric bypass, and duodental switch. It's very clear in their policy released last summer when they also mandated that patients can only go to a center of excellence. Dr. Trace Curry Cincinnati, Ohio Got a question? Ask the doctor at www.TheBandDoctor.com Participate in our forum--> www.thebanddoctor.com/messageboard_BB/index.php 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: If am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!