Sleeve surgery, approved, by, insurance,?

[schatzie 0]

Has anyone been approved by insurance for sleeve surgery?

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Schatzie. I am not sure if very many insurance companies in the states cover the sleeve or not, to be honest. I know mine didn't.

Perhaps one of our other members will be able to help you out with this question.

In the meantime, welcome to LBT!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Has anyone been approved by insurance for sleeve surgery?

Most ins co's consider it experimental even though it isn't. Hopefully things will change eventually.

[MacMadame 81]

Yes, people have been approved. But a lot haven't either. It depends on a lot on the insurance company. Some will approve it right off the bat, some will deny but approve it on appeal and some won't approve it if hell froze over.

[LAN2k 0]

Has anyone been approved by insurance for sleeve surgery?

I too was hoping that my insurance would approve the Sleeve surgery. I just sent an email to a Doctor in NYC, Mt. Sinai expressing my desire for the Gastric Sleeve after weeks of research on wt. loss surgeries. Sadly (Medicare) does not approve because it's still considered "experimental". He told me that the HMO Oxford-Medicare?? usually will approve however. I don't think I'll be able to qualify for that at least not in 2009 :rolleyes2:

Maybe this info can help you though...I hope so.

In the meanwhile I have been a spectator on this forum ever since I became convicted that the Sleeve would be the way to go for me. I am so anxious because I may be forced to go for the Lap Band since I can not afford to "self-pay". The thought of a lap band affixed to my stomach right below my esophagus together with a "port" sometimes terrifies me. It just seems so unnatural and risky. I had so much hope when I came here and read the uplifting posts about the sleeve. I'm really sad to the point of crying myself to sleep now since I may be compelled to settle for the band. Thanks to all of you for being so genuine and helpful to one another. This is amazing.

[schatzie 0]

Have faith, probably at the end of the month the sleeve surgery is going to be approved by the american society of bariatric surgery. it's around the corner. I don't want to deal with problems from the surgery, already is risky.

[LAN2k 0]

Have faith, probably at the end of the month the sleeve surgery is going to be approved by the american society of bariatric surgery. it's around the corner. I don't want to deal with problems from the surgery, already is risky.

The end of this month! That's encouraging!! When you say you don't want to deal with problems from the surgery...,which surgery are you referring to Lap or Sleeve?

[schatzie 0]

Yes, the lap band.

[LAN2k 0]

That is what I thought, thanks. In the meanwhile I'm doing my best to check around...If I make any headway I'll be sure to post it here.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

That's very encouraging! It should be covered the same as any other WLS. People should have a choice not be forced into a surgery they don't want because of insurance companies.

[hakunamatata_ca 0]

Have faith, probably at the end of the month the sleeve surgery is going to be approved by the american society of bariatric surgery. it's around the corner. I don't want to deal with problems from the surgery, already is risky.

I am surprised the Sleeve is not covered because it is in Ontario Canada if you qualify and Canada is generally last at accepting things like that. However there is a wait list to even see doc for a year they told me and I don't qualify with BMI 36 - must be 40+ unless co-morb's which I don't have. They don't however cover the Lap Band - I kinda see why since there is so much aftercare in some and that would get costly for them rather than a one time thing.

Good Luck to you:smile2:

[nomadem 1]

Have faith, probably at the end of the month the sleeve surgery is going to be approved by the american society of bariatric surgery. it's around the corner. I don't want to deal with problems from the surgery, already is risky.

just curious...how do you know that the sleeve will be approved by the end of the month? And if it is an approved surgery will it then be approved by insurance company or does it take longer?

[Elisabethsew 50]

In New York, the sleeve is an approved surgery by several insurance companies as long as you meet the requirements. What is frustrating is that gaining approval to have the band removed is not easy.

If you don't have a slip or an erosion, you have to start a "paper" trail of problems. I was told that the acid regurg. and inability to sleep lying down would require about 9 months of MD documented visits before insurance would "consider" paying for the band to be removed and revising to another surgery.

[LAN2k 0]

If you don't have a slip or an erosion, you have to start a "paper" trail of problems. I was told that the acid regurg. and inability to sleep lying down would require about 9 months of MD documented visits before insurance would "consider" paying for the band to be removed and revising to another surgery.

This is horrible...I can't believe to what extent some of you have had to go to and through to finally get to a place where you can lose weight with securtiy. I'm literally choked up here. I am in LI, NY so far I've been told "no" to the Sleeve by the doctor(who considers the Sleeve "experimental" and doesn't do it), who would do the Lap Band surgery on me, (if I am approved...(35BMI with co morbidity factors...)Ins.- Medicare). His secretary told me that medicare will not approve the Sleeve. I do want weight loss surgery scared as I am because I have been around the try-to-lose-weight block so many times that I finally am willing to sacrifice part of my anatomy! I need help. I am feeling pressured due to insurance "approval" issues to take what I can get, either Lap Band or Gastric Bypass. I am not in a position to self-pay nor take out a loan. I am so frustrated. The more I read about being "banded" the more I want to get the sleeve...the more desperate I am becoming. Thanks all for such sincere posts, my heart goes out to you with wishes for victory in the restoration of your bodies to their perfect weight with incredible health and longevity.

[Elisabethsew 50]

If you don't have a slip or an erosion, you have to start a "paper" trail of problems. I was told that the acid regurg. and inability to sleep lying down would require about 9 months of MD documented visits before insurance would "consider" paying for the band to be removed and revising to another surgery.

This is horrible...I can't believe to what extent some of you have had to go to and through to finally get to a place where you can lose weight with securtiy. I'm literally choked up here. I am in LI, NY so far I've been told "no" to the Sleeve by the doctor(who considers the Sleeve "experimental" and doesn't do it), who would do the Lap Band surgery on me, (if I am approved...(35BMI with co morbidity factors...)Ins.- Medicare). His secretary told me that medicare will not approve the Sleeve. I do want weight loss surgery scared as I am because I have been around the try-to-lose-weight block so many times that I finally am willing to sacrifice part of my anatomy! I need help. I am feeling pressured due to insurance "approval" issues to take what I can get, either Lap Band or Gastric Bypass. I am not in a position to self-pay nor take out a loan. I am so frustrated. The more I read about being "banded" the more I want to get the sleeve...the more desperate I am becoming. Thanks all for such sincere posts, my heart goes out to you with wishes for victory in the restoration of your bodies to their perfect weight with incredible health and longevity.

Keep in mind that this is a sleeve/revision to sleeve thread but there are plenty of people who have done well with the band and continue to be successful with it.