Question:
Has anyone had any plastic surgery in Oregon or Washington and had Medicare pay?

I have seen two doctors one in wash. and one in oregon. To get me in for a consult and fee they said they accepted Medicare, only after getting my hopes up did the CASHIER tell me that they did not accept it. I would have to pay cash and maybe get reimbursed. Medicare covered my Gastric and everything that went with it, it took awhile, but it was found to be covered. Also, one doctor said abdominoplasty with extension work, the other said panniculectomy. Which one is better? I only need my apron removed but I would like a little lift in the butt and boob area. I am going in for a hysterectomy on March 14 and wanted to combine it but no such luck. I don't want to jinx myself with a hernia but maybe I need it to cover the procedure. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bonnie    — Bonnie G. (posted on March 3, 2005)

March 3, 2005
I have Medicare as my primary insurance, but I have Tricare Prime as a secondary. My ps office told me that Medicare will not approve or disapprove any plastic surgery, what you have to do is have it done and then they decide that it is a covered procedure and pay, or they decide it is not covered and you pay. You will be lucky to find any ps that will work that way, so my ps office went right to my secondary insurance and they approved my breast reduction and my TT. I have heard that Medicare will pay for a panni, and possibly a breast reduction, so my best suggestion to you would be, if you have a secondary insurance, use them, or use a savings account or have the money to pay for the procedures if you have to. Good luck, and let us know if you do get Medicare to approve any procedures before surgery.
   — cindy

March 3, 2005
Bonnie, I called a plastic surgeon just yesterday to see about getting work done. I have Medicare and Tricare Standard. I was told by the receptionist and the nurse that with Medicare, you have the surgery first, YOU must pay up front, then after the surgery, it is all turned over to MEDICARE. If Medicare wants, they will reimburse YOU. And this doctor no longer takes Tricare of any kind because Tricare is no longer paying like they used to. Good Luck and let us know what happens with you and your surgery, Cindy
   — cindirella