Anyone dealt with Medicare?

[sabyan2060 0]

I am new and dealing with Medicare. I was in a bad car accident in 2009 and am unable to work or move around much. My depression after the accident did not help much. Now I have packed on 70lbs since then and still gaining. I am just under 35 bmi but have a lot issues from the weight. I know you are suppose to be 35 bmi to get approved but does anyone have any tips to making sure you get approved through medicare?

Thanks

Amanda

[reany237 4]

I have medicare and had my surgery about 2 weeks ago, I know if you attend a seminar in your region then they should be able to go through all the insurance details with you. I know with me you had to have at least one morbid health condition(mine was diabetes) but the conditions can range from depression to heart disease. hope this helps

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I am new and dealing with Medicare. I was in a bad car accident in 2009 and am unable to work or move around much. My depression after the accident did not help much. Now I have packed on 70lbs since then and still gaining. I am just under 35 bmi but have a lot issues from the weight. I know you are suppose to be 35 bmi to get approved but does anyone have any tips to making sure you get approved through medicare?

Thanks

Amanda

Amanda, I was on Metformin for diabetes, HBP, asthma. 5'4", 220 lbs. Medicare approved. Good luck!

[beldujour 7]

Can any of you who were approved give me an idea of how long it took to get approval from Medicare? I meet all the requirements (and then some, sadly!) in terms of BMI and comorbidities, and am meeting with my surgeon for the first time on 6/6.

[jtickle 295]

I have Medicare and I didn't use it for my surgery coming up on June 25th. You have to jump thru all the hoops. My husband's insurance from work didn't have hardly any requirements.

[beldujour 7]

What kind of hoops are you talking about? The hospital where I plan to go ran down everything to me and it doesn't seem like there are any unusual or strenuous requirements with Medicare, at least for someone in my situation. I was just wondering how long people who used Medicare waited for approval.

[jtickle 295]

Bmi of 35 or greater with a comorbidity, documented evidence of that you have obese for five years, 6 month medically supervised diet, you must show that you have participated and failed more than one program, a letter from your PCP recommending and supporting weight loss surgery, psych evaluation, all other treatable medical diseases have been ruled out as a cause for obesity, such as : adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid screening tests must come back normal and completed.

This came from the Medicare website.

[beldujour 7]

As noted above in my previous post, it appears that I already meet Medicare's requirements. Perhaps I didn't make it clear that I'm hoping to learn how long it takes to be approved for surgery once Medicare's requirements have been met.

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

beldujour, on 16 May 2014 - 11:30, said:

Can any of you who were approved give me an idea of how long it took to get approval from Medicare? I meet all the requirements (and then some, sadly!) in terms of BMI and comorbidities, and am meeting with my surgeon for the first time on 6/6.

My husband and I have Medicare and from the first seminar to surgery was less than 4 months (close to 3). We have diabetes, HBP, asthma, heart stent...... No problem. We had to attend about 3-4 meetings, meet with the psychologist, but it was no time before we were sleeved and moving on!!!

[beldujour 7]

Thanks so much, that's very helpful.