Medicare Coverage For Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

[reallyrosy 161]

YAY!!!! I'm so happy for you Reallyrosy!!!!

Just so you know, I was sleeved on Oct 25, 2011 and medicare paid for mine. But I am in a Medicare Senior Advantage Plan. OH, I had a $125.00 co-pay. Not bad!! Not bad at all!

Anyway, make that surgery date, just in case anything changes in the New year coming up.

Good Luck to you!!

Thank you, Betty! My friend and I are staying in the hotel across from the hospital the night before the surgery and we'll be good to go in the morning without a 45 minute drive. Ahhh, this is a nice turn of events. The rest (please gd) should be smooth sailing.

[Metrorail 0]

November 21,2011 - Just read letter to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) from ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery). dated October 24, 2011. This letter displays a number of statistics in support of Medicare approval of laproscopic VSG procedure. It's a good source of statistics demonstrating the efficacy of VSG.

Also just read an article from the American College of Surgeons Surgery News, October 6, 2011. The article states CMS plans to issue a proposed decision by March 30, 2012, and to make a final decision by June 30, 2012, regarding laproscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy approval.

Copy of ASMBS letter is attached.

2011_11_21 - ASMBS_CMS_Sleeve_Letter_Oct_28_2011.pdf

[monty 18]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have already had my surgery and am appealing the denial so any info like this is a help in supporting my case. I also sent a copy to my doctor in hopes it might help others in their challenge of denial. Happy Thanksgiving :biggrinjester: :Banane57: