Medicare and WLS??? QUESTION???

My mother is OBESE and is 68 years old. She doesn't have hypertension, or high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. She does have depression. I'm worried that if she doesn't lose weight I won't have her for another five years. WILL MEDICARE COVER HER SURGERY? Has anyone had it done? I know there is an age limit usually around 68.  I'd love to know where to direct my mother.

"WILL MEDICARE COVER HER SURGERY?" Medicare covers the following: - BPD/DS aka DS (Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch) (lap and open) - RNY (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) (lap and open) - AGB aka Lap-Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding) (lap only)

Each procedure must be performed in Medicare-approved (as in Center of Excellence) facilities.  For a listing of them, click on this link: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.as p#TopOfPage

Medicare does not cover the following: - VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) (lap and open) - VBG (Vertical Gastric Banding) - AGB aka Lap-Band (Adjustable Gastric Banding) (open only) - Gastric Balloon - Intestinal Bypass

As for revisions, Medicare covers open and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) if certain criteria are met and the procedure is performed in an approved facility.

Source: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewncd.asp?ncd_id=100.1&ncd_vers ion=2&basket=ncd%3A100%2E1%3A2%3ABariatric+Surgery+for+Treat ment+of+Morbid+Obesity "Has anyone had it done? I know there is an age limit usually around 68."  A good number of us on Medicare have had WLS.  I am not aware of any age limit for Medicare beneficiaries, altho some WL surgeons impose age limitations. "I'd love to know where to direct my mother." Local WLS clinics in the Portland-Vancouver metro area:

OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) Surgical Weight Reduction Program http://www.ohsu.edu/health/page.cfm?id=10085

Legacy Good Samaritan Obesity Institute aka: Oregon Weight Loss Surgery (OWLS) http://www.legacyhealth.org/body.cfm?id=681

Kaiser Permanente (if you have Kaiser coverage)

Southwest Washington Medical Center Southwest Weight Loss Surgery Center http://www.swmedicalcenter.com/body.cfm?id=1893

Each clinic requires attendance at their informational seminars before making initial appointments.

Medicare covers DS, RNY, and lapband at OHSU and Legacy only.  The other facilities are not approved by Medicare and will not be covered either. Hope this helps!

Thanks Vicki, You, as always... are a WEALTH of information. I will save this info and call my mommy tomorrow Jen

And she's incredibly nice!  You'll need to come to one of the breakfasts or something to get to meet with her...