Question:
DOES ANYONE KNOW, WHAT DOCTOR IN PHOENIX ARIZONA AREA ACCEPTS MEDICARE FOR WLS?

DOES ANYONE KNOW, WHAT DOCTOR IN PHOENIX ARIZONA AREA ACCEPTS MEDICARE AS PAYMENT FOR WLS? DO YOU NEED PRE- APPROVAL? WHAT CRITERIA DO THEY REQUIRE? AND IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON MEDICARE FOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN ARIZONA OR OTHER STATES THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL. I NEED THIS INFO FOR A FAMILY MEMBER. THANK YOU FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE. CASSIE    — Cassandra F. (posted on October 4, 2003)

October 4, 2003
With medicare you do not need preapproval.You get the surgery then everything gets submitted to medicare, if they find it to be medically necessary then they will pay their portion.I'm in AZ. and just had my surgery with Dr. Blackstone 4 months ago.I have medicare as my primary and a state insurance as my secondary.Most people think that even though you don't need preapproval with medicare you do have to still get preapproval with your secondary.This isn't true.If your secondary is a state funded insurance(medicaid), they automatically have to follow medicares lead.So if medicare finds it to be medically necessary and pays their 80% portion of the bill, then your state insurance is required to pay the balance.This is what happened in my case.I havent paid a dime and I didn't get preapproval with either insurance.Medicare has already paid for most of the cost and the rest is now getting submitted to my secondary...Dr. Blackstone has since quit taking medicare but I think the following surgeons still are.........Dr. Newhoff 602-264-0910 Dr. Juarez 602-252-1510 Dr. Simpson 602-234-8995
   — jennifer A.

October 4, 2003
I'm not sure if he takes your insurance but J. bradford doxey in scotsdale is great he used to be in virginia and everyone here loved him. then he moved toaz to do bariatrics full time he is great.
   — Mischief1212 A.

October 4, 2003
Dr. Doxey is now Dr. Blackstone's new associate and while I've met him and think he is awesome....Since Dr. Black stone is no longer taking medicare I doubt Dr. Doxey is either.
   — jennifer A.

October 4, 2003
Dr. Zahn is another surgeon in Phoenix (through St. Luke's) and I believe he accepts medicare.
   — LLinderman