Medicare questions

Hello, I can't seem to find anyone that has had the lapband with Medicare coverage. I have medicare primary and BCBSIL secondary. Right now I am getting my stuff together for BCBSIL. They said I needed more documentation. Does anyone know if Medicare doesn't cover the lapband will the secondary coverage pick up? (if I"ve gotten their approval) I know you can't get pre-approval for Medicare. What a gamble. Either 0 or 100 %. Either they will or they won't. Really sucks that you won't find out until after the surgery. My understanding with the secondary insurance is that they won't pick up on claims that Medicare didn't cover. Does anyone know anything about Medicare approval rates. I can't even find their criterial on the website. Had it once but can't find it again. Anyone?? Thanks

Hi Sandra Medicare covered my Lap Banding and I have never heard of them refusing to pay, also it may depend on your provider and how they submit the claim I had my banding with Dr Chua in Milw. Go for it you will not regret it!

I had mecicare as primary and MI BCBS second, I didnt pay anything at all. medicare wont PREapprove, but you can call and ask them if a certain procedure is covered if you give them the procedure code, you can get that from your dr. BCBS was going to make me wait until they sent an approval letter to the dr, but the dr agreed that if i signerd some thing saying I owuld pay if BCBS didnt then we went ahead with the surgery. BCBS DID pay the balance after medicare. and yes, your 2nd ins. wont pay anything IF the primary doesnt cover. Ive never heard of anyone not getting paid via medicare for bariatrics. good luck