How do I get Medicare to pay for my surgery

Subject: Medicare Mon 22 Mar 2010, 1:24 am

Thanks pf337 but I'm on disability so saving for the surgery is out of the question. I wish that was a possibility

I am here in the USA...Most of us here in the United States have to save up for the sleve. It is alot of money but it is well worth it. Just call around and get some prices and ask about payment plans.

Subject: Getting Medicare to pay for surgery Sat 20 Mar 2010, 4:20 am

Thanks Carrie and Libby. I will PM KahunaLou

Hi QueenDiva,

Welcome to this great site. I dont know the post you are talking about, and as I'm in Australia I don't know anything about your medicare. If it was by KahunaLou it would probably be a good idea to PM him. He doesn't post very often but I regularly see him down in the "who's online" box.

Good luck - Carrie :-)

Hello and welcome.

I see your in the USA so I can't help with the Medicare question. Hopefully some of the others may be able to help you.

Good luck.

Subject: How do I get Medicare to pay for my surgery Sat 20 Mar 2010, 3:29 am

Hello, I feel like I am at the first day in a new high school. Not quite sure if or where I fit in and don't really know what to do other than introduce myself. My journey started Feb. 2009. I did the four months of nutrition required for the Lapband, had my surgery date then the results of my upper GI came and I had a eroded esophagus and a hernia...no Lapband. My surgeon told me Medicare was supposed to start covering the Sleeve in January so I waited impatiently until Jan. Got a surgery date and a few days before it I was informed that Medicare wouldn't cover the band. I decided to do the Bypass, got my date, arrived early really excited. One of my friends told I was excited as if I was going to a party. I told her that's how I felt. It's show time so they roll me in the OR and I was talking and joking and the next thing I remember was waking up with a feeling that something had gone wrong. The nurses and attendants acted as if everything was a-ok. When I was returned to my room I found out that I had spent over four hours in the recovery before I woke up. To make things worse I was in pain but my sister told that the doctor couldn't do the surgery because I had too much scar tissue around my intestines and heart. That made the already risky Bypass too risky. I had the pain without the gain. So the only wls I can do healthfully is the Sleeve which I think is the best surgery anyway, but we are back to Medicare not paying for it. I saw KahunaLou's post and felt just maybe it's possible to get Medicare to pay for it, but Mr. K I need you to coach me so I won't mess up. I am 60 years old with enough co-mobidities to kill a horse and I will get on my arthritic knees and beg if that will get Medicare to pay. With the surgery my health will be so improved plus I would love to be around a few more years to watch my six year old grandson grow up.

I don't mean to appear obtuse but today I can't find very much about Medicare covering the Sleeve Surgery. I can't even find the post that brought me here.