Medicare....No approval needed?

[businessmom2011 4]

I was just wondering if anyone else has Medicare. My doctor's office has said they don't have to submit for preapproval, Medicare will automatically pay for it.

I am kind of nervous about that.

Anyone else???

[Chelly 364]

Yes they do.

So relax your mind about it.

Take care of yourself and prepare for surgery.

Good luck.

[StabMyFinger 19]

I have to have a 6 months of medical visits with my Primary before they can send in everything. This is in North Carolina, I guess all states are different

[heav85 123]

I have to have a 6 months of medical visits with my Primary before they can send in everything. This is in North Carolina, I guess all states are different

I live in KY and I have to do that too... I was wondering if they still do the surgery after the 6 months or what. My first appointment with them is monday and I don't wanna ask lol

[jtickle 295]

In Arkansas you have to jump thru all the hoops too. That's why I didn't use it for my surgery. I just used my husband's insurance.

[wildGoose 207]

Medicare does vary a bit from state to state. I live in California, and here they do not pay for the Sleeve, so I am having the Gastric Bypass. But the people are right. Good luck.

[ThinnerMe2015 14]

I have Medicare as my Primary and Medicaid (United Health Care) as my Secondary, so your telling me you can just go to a surgeons office and start the process of seeing him and go to psych eval, and all that and surgery without Medicare's approval, I don't know that makes me nervous to think that will fly without in the end you ending up with huge medical bills for not getting some kind of authorization. I have Medicare but right now my referral coordinator is working on my paper work to submit it to Medicare and Medicaid, so look like in Michigan you need some sort of pre-authorization

[wildGoose 207]

You are getting away too far ahead of yourself. Surgeons, and their respective hospitals, do not do this surgery unless they believe they are going to get paid. There are requirements. It isn't like going to Macy's and buying a blouse. The surgery has to be at a Bariactric Center for Excellence. (that is a medical qualification system or sorts) You do have to jump through hoops like seeing a psychiatrist, etc., but Medicare isn't as difficult as some. You need a referral from your PCP, you have to meet the BMI and other requirements. I strongly suggest that you get the referral, and speak with a surgeon. They will take care of the approvals, not you. Like I said, they want to get paid. Good Luck.