Question:
Has anyone found a way around Medicares Certifcate of Excellence requirement

I am 66 years old, was on asurgeons schedule and cancelled because of the new Medicare requirements. No one in this area accepts Medicare for both the surgeon and the hospital. I would have to to travel to the LA area and stay in a hotel 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. I cannot self pay as I am retired and on fixed income. Called Medicare and they said "write your congressman!    — sratliff (posted on March 7, 2006)

March 7, 2006
i am 33 years old and have medicare.i live in mo.i had wls in springfield on 2/20/06 i had no problem with medicare i had to have two comorbiditites i had sleep apnea and was on oxygen.i never one time had to call medicare my dr.office did it for me i was approved in a week.hope this helps ang.
   — angela33

March 7, 2006
I had to change too, here in KY, there is no way around it, with some surgeons there is a small fee mine is $600 but its worth that to me, where there is a will there is a way, be praying for you.
   — peace

March 7, 2006
Sandra check with your current surgeon as to if they have or had already applied for the "Center of Excellence" Award. Most have as they saw this coming. So it's just a matter of time till your Surgon & Hospital is qualified.
   — Michael Eak

March 8, 2006
Hi. I am on MEDICAID and I am trying to get the approval now. I signed in on OH. At the top it says INSURERS. CLICK on it. When the map comes up, click on your state. I clicked on TEXAS(thats where I live) Then when the next page comes up there is a BLUE BOX on the left that goes from the top to the bottom of page. CLICK on BARIATRIC SURGEONS.A page comes up with DR's names in it. CLICK on the DR's name....then scroll down to where it says INSURERS. CLICK on it.There will be a list of people that tells what insurancew they used. I went through the whole list. It takes time but i wrote all the DR's Names and their phone numbers down and started calling them. I have seen alot of DR.'s that have taken MEDICARE. After you see if they have taken medicare, write their names down then go back to the list of DR.'s and click on the next DR in line. You will be amazed at how many DR.'s take medicare.Tammy B
   — tammyB