Been a long time...

I have not checked in here for a very long time but found out some news today that made me want to come back to my weight loss surgery board roots.....

When I was sleeved july 2007 my insurance company was one of the only ones covering sleeves...I found out today that Medicare is now covering sleeves!!

This is monumental not only in the fact that the poor have a choice now but that insurance companies will be forced to cover them as well!!

 

http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=258&NcaName=Bariatric+Surgery+for+the+Treatment+of+Morbid+Obesity&Time

 

Im so happy!!

I am new here and can not find my way around. I have been trying to get the sleeve for almost a yr now with two ins UH and BCBS and they want cover it at all. looking into going to Dr Alvarez in Mexico. It does up set me that me and my husband work hard and pay for ins and they want help with any of it.

 

I think u should reapply for the procedure u want...i think its so lame that insurance wont cover the sleeve...but now that medicare is covering them as a stand alone lap surgery i know insurance companies will have to start complying in the same...

by the way...dr a is a fine surgeon...i have the privilege of having met him before and know many who have gone to him and love him! He has a fine rep...

 

Both BCBS and UHC cover the sleeve IF your employer has selected to cover bariatric surgery.

If not, Mexico is a option many choose.

Well. I am glad to help the poor and believe in social justice BUT when I went to the weight loss seminar here in Missouri, a cheer went through the room when they said Medicare people would pay just 200 dollars out of pocket for gastric bypass.  

 

My lame ass insurance would not pay one dime for me to get surgery. I am still in good health without diabetes, hypertension, etc so I am out of luck. My cost for local surgeon bypass was going to be $25,000 of my own money. How about helping the middle class people who are unable to cough up $25,000? Needless to say, I am headed to Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. Oh and the people on Medicare and Medicaid were getting surgery with NO out of pocket expense at all.  

I believe in helping the poor, but this was a bitter pill to swallow. 

Just wondering ......... Have you been able to keep the weight off over the years?

I have!!! I have lost and maintained for 5 years!!