FIGHT MEDICARE'S RULING ABOUT HOSPITALS!!

According to the news and the PA at the surgeon's office where I *had* an appointment for next week, on February 21st the announcement was made that "Medicare would cover some procedures only at hospitals considered "centers for excellence" by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Bariatric Surgery." Hospitals were given no time to apply for certification from either organization. We ALL need to contact our federal congressmen and senators about this. The more he11 we raise, the more likely it is the rule will be reversed or revised. Here are some things to point out in your communication (preferably by phone): 1. There was no notice given for this ruling. Hospitals should have had time to apply for certification. 2. Obesity is a life-threatening disease and this ruling has dramatically reduced the facilities available to perform bariatric surgery for months to come. 3. Waivers ARE available and you should urge your politicians to push for a waiver for your particular hospital. Here's the list of US Senators. Just find yours and slam them with emails & phone calls: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Here's the list of Congressmen. Ditto above: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issuesaction/alertlist/?issue=30

I fully understand where you are coming from. Yesterday 3/16 I had my FINAL appts. prior to surgery which is scheduled for 4/5. I was told by my surgeon exactly what you stated. Medicare denied my request for gastric bypass BUT I am going ahead and having it done as scheduled on the 5th of April. Seeing as I am on disability and Medicare, the surgeon and hospital has waived their fees. Thank God. I have been going thru various appts. for 3 months now and to hear this close to surgery that it was denied was quite shocking. Good Luck to you. I will definately contact your links with this concern. This is a life threatening disease and should be treated as such, not as elective surgery.