Question:
Has anyone else had difficulty getting approved through Medicare?

   — jen66fr (posted on January 29, 2006)

January 29, 2006
No I was approved the day I went to my first visit. You know Medicare does not do prior approval. You just have to have all your documentation that is required. My PCP and my other local doctors and hospital actually helped me get everything I need for the approval. I did my MMP1 with my local psychologist so that help alot. You can refer to my profile I've got it listed in my January entry for this year. I'm scheduled for surgury on 2/22/06 . The approval for medicare is like jumping thru the hoops for disability you just have to have good good documentation and lots of it. Good Luck.
   — Deborah Joyner

January 29, 2006
Medicare does not give preapproval. I found this out through my senator. They cover the surgery as they cover any surgery. I have had the surgery and I am on medicare and a secondary insurance as well. The total cost of the surgery was in the 40,000 range and medicare paid only 1,600 after they took out all the cuts they could legally get by with. There is no wonder doctors don't want patients with medicare. So the answer to your question is, no preapproval is given but it states in the medicare manual that they cover gastric bypass if you meet all the requirements. They won't send you this information but it can be obtained through your local senator or represetative to the congress.
   — vickicarson

January 29, 2006
UTMB Galveston handle every thing for me. I have so many medical problems that it wasn't a problem getting approved. I think Medicare feels they will save money on me with this surgery. I think they are right
   — pettykash

January 29, 2006
I had no problem getting approved with medicare in fact the paid for lap instead of open for me and paid everything so i think they decide on person to person bases on how much they will pay and also on the doctor.
   — ritamytweety

January 30, 2006
YES MEDICARE WAS VERY EASY TO GET APPROVED TOOK NO TIME FOR ME PLUS ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE MEDICADE AS A SECONDARY INSURANCE THANK GOD BECAUSE OTHER WISE WOULDNT BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT!!!!
   — alexzaydria

November 13, 2007
I was turned down four times by insurance companies for one reason or another until Belite came along and helped me do in 5 weeks (get approved) what I could not do in three years! I recently posted some negative things about them somewhere here on this site (I think) and would just like to write a note apologizing to BELITE. Sometimes we want answers when we want them and say ugly things that can hurt. I do not intend to say anything that may harm them in any way because they were very professional and gave me that "special" touch as only someone who has had the surgery would understand. Please, Belite, and my fellow site surfers forgive my crassness. It will never happen again.
   — Azaria