Question:
Anyone been approved by Medicare with a BMI of 44 or lower?

I'm just worried that Medicare/Medicaid won't approve me. I do have some other health problems like, gallstones, GERD, hiatal hernia, and lots of family history of heart disease and diabetes.    — kb0lqx (posted on September 16, 2002)

September 16, 2002
Hi Anne, I'm about a 44 BMI,I had no problem with Medicare, also Medicare as I understand it does not require you to get pre-approved for WLS, Medicad needs a request from you PCP. I hope this helps. Good Luck-Donna
   — Donna C.

September 16, 2002
I had my WLS April 9, 2002. Only insurance is Medicare and I had no problems. You don't need pre-approval for Medicare. Just ask about your blood work, tho'. Medicare will NOT pay for repetitive blood work that they consider "frivolous" so make sure your doc(s) gives a good ICD9 code. My MD nutritionist always submits 5-7 codes to ensure that at least one will cover requested blood work. One blood I can't seem to get covered is magnesium level and at $45 a pop it's not one I can pay for myself so I simply decline to have it done.
   — katie-mae