Medicare Advice and Help

I have a friend that is 560lbs and I finally was able to talk to him about RNY WLS. He met with Dr. Brathwaite and he needs to lose weight before he will do the surgery. My question is What are the types of payments that anyone is paying for their pretesting. He has medicare only, no medicaid and no money. This is all very frustrating. Anyone with any advice will help. He is in the hospital now because he can't walk or even bathe himself and we are being told that medicare won't even cover a shower chair for him to use at home. Does anyone know how the appeal process works?

psych. exam $250. I don't what the pulmonologist charged, but he sent me for a chest xray, & a blood test. He also set up a sleep specialist exam. I don't know what the cardiologist charged, but he is having me take a chemical stress test. So good luck!

If he can get as much preop stuff as possible done on this admission, it should be covered by medicare. Once he's out, if he doesn't have medicare B, probably not. He needs to talk to the case manager or social worker on his floor (or family if he is too sick) about trying to arrange as much as possible that can be done inpatient or about resources to help once he is discharged. Also he can talk to his doctors, make sure they consult Dr. Braithwaite. This is life or death for him. Good luck. Caryl

Someone needs to advocate for this man. Call patient services and ask to speak to a Social Worker they have the means and the contacts to get the services that this man needs. I do Case Management for the VA I have never heard of Medicare not paying for durable medical equipment when it is medically necessary. Gail RN Vermont