medicare and the sleeve

[zazzer 1]

Hello I found some information on when Medicare will cover the sleeve from the O A C. Obeasity Action Coalitition, the web site http://www.obesityaction.org/home/index.php.

I had written them in June this year.

I will share an email I'd written them in regards my concern. my original email is at the end. The answer email >>>

From: "Stephanie Wielinski"<stephanie@obesityaction.org>

To: "'Gerard'" <gerardzazzer@gmail.com>

Subject: RE: Medicare

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:09 AM

Thank you for contacting the OAC. We apologize for the delayin a response

To you. We were out of town at a convention and are getting things settled

Now after retuning.

Currently VSG (Sleeve Gastrectomy) is specifically excluded by Medicare. It

would take a re-opening of the Medicare National Coverage Decision to change

the exclusion. As are-opening of the National Coverage Decision would

require a reanalysis of the data for all of bariatric surgery (not just the

sleeve) it is an elaborate process that takes time to prepare for. We

anticipate the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery will be

pursuing such a re-opening at the earliest next year but likely the year

after.

Stephanie Wielinski

Special Projects Coordinator

Obesity Action Coalition

4511 North Himes Ave., Ste. 250

Tampa, FL 33614

800-717-3117

stephanie@obesityaction.org

-----Original Message-----

From: Gerard [mailto:gerardzazzer@gmail.com]

Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 9:49 AM

To: info@obesityaction.org

Subject: Medicare

Hello. I'm Gerard

I was wondering if you had any information on if , when medicare would be

covering the vertical sleeve gastrectomy? thanks sincerely.Gerard