Question:
medicare denied,how do we get an expedited reconcideration

my best friend is slowly hemmoraging to death & desperatly needs triple gastric bypass asap,but was contacted by her dr today[2-24-06] & told due to medicare changes they cant perform surgery.social security told doc to send proof that it is for noncosmetic reasons& they will let her know in 4-6 weeks she will die before then. please help! she'sonly 39 !    — therisa (posted on February 25, 2006)

February 25, 2006
Have either of you contacted 1-800-MEDICARE and asked for a review/appeal? Request an expedited appeal and they have to respond in 72 hours.
   — nursenut

February 25, 2006
triple bi pass??? hemorrhaging and wls is not the cure, she has other issues. but her congressman's office will give her assistance.
   — walter A.

February 26, 2006
Hi, What is the reason for your friend hemmoraging? I have heard that medicare has passed a bill thatgastric bypass will now be covered. I've heard that twice now on the Charlotte NC news. I'll be praying for your friend. Please let me know what they have found out. Thanks, Kathy
   — Kathleen Robinson

February 27, 2006
Honestly I don't understand your post, there is no such thing as a triple gastric bypass. Are you sure you don't mean a heart bypass. If she is hemorrhaging she needs to be in a hospital having emergency surgery. Social security has nothing to do with approving surgeries of any type. Under the Medicare regulations , Gastric bypass must be medically necessary and must meet established criteria, previous Weight loss attempts must be documented and surgery can only be performed at hospitals that have good safety records and perform alot of gastric bypass surgeries. Gastric bypass doesn't treat hemorhaging, and it's not considered emergency surgery ever. Good luck
   — goldroses