Medicare

Anyone have experience with Medicare paid DS surgery? I am almost through the pre op tests and then Hosp. (OHSU) says they'll send it in for Medicare approval. How lomg did it take until you got a surgery date etc.? Did you end up paying anything?(20%?) Thanks for any info! I am so anxious!!!

I have Medicare and it covered all but the 20%. The approval was done over the phone by Dr. Patterson's office and it only took a couple minutes My surgery date was about 1 month from the day they called Medicare. Dr. Patterson's office was very aware of how the Medicare policy worked and I assume the same could be said for OHSU, as Dr. Patterson works closely with that surgical group. Kathy

Thanks for the reply Quackerbacker! It bouyed my spiirits. You had lap band surrrrrgery only this month? Wow....how's it working? I am going for DS due to other medical considerations.

My lap band is working well. Down 24 pounds since surgery on 11/8. I get to start regular foods next Wednesday. I have a friend who did the DS at OHSU and she is doing very well with good results. I picked lap band because of lots of other health problems and I needed the least invasive procedure possible. I have double coverage, group insurance thru my husband's employer and Medicare because of my disabilities. My husband's insurance gave us the runaround but not even a blink with Medicare. Good luck! Kathy

I had my surgery at OHSU also! DS too!!! With Medicare!!!! Yipee, we are twins! Medicare at that time didn't do pre-approval, but paid just fine. The DS is the best. If you haven't yet, come over to the DS board here on OH. Lots of info & tons of friendly people. Have you stopped by yet? Here's the Link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,messageboard/board_id,5357/ CeCe -215 pounds, cured of diabetes & below goal! Open DS at OHSU March 2005

Thank you for answering! I am sure we have a lot in common! Dr. Devney do your surgery? I am just about done with tests- sleep apnea sleepover tomorrow and then psych eval Tues. & submit to Susan Fee at OHSU. CAN"T wait!!! Did you end up paying a lot out of pocket after Medicare? Did it take long to get a date?

If memory serves I was left with close to $1000 afterward, which they were happy to take payments on. It took me several months to get a date. The doc I had is retired, he was wonderful. Dr. Devney did the class I attended, so I have met him & talked to him some. He was relatively new at the DS then, so I opted for the other doc. Now he has a couple more years under his belt, so you are good to go I am sure. I am thrilled that you are having the DS. It is such an amazing surgery and it seems like so few people ever learn about it. The quality of eating long term is fantastic. I am almost 2 years post op, and have no trouble maintaining my weight and eating totally normal. I do hope you will stop by the DS board and say Hi or read. It has been a lifeline for me since I lived far from OHSU. I could ask a question any time of the day or night (especially pre-op or early post op) and get tons of great information from those who traveled the road before me. That board was helpful too because most of my local docs are not familiar with the DS. You will have to get used to that, no matter what, they all answer your questions like you have had RNY gastric bypass. I kind of drives you nuts after a while, but educating yourself via the interent really helps you to know what to ask for when you go into your PCP/Endo etc. If you stay up on top your health, regular labs & supplements are essential, the DS is the best decision you will ever make. You won't even believe how much your life is about to change. :cool: Let me know if you have any more questions, CeCe