5 Responses

1. essentiallysolo

   2009 Jul 14 1

   they don’t
   References :
   RN

2. Niceandsweet

   2009 Jul 14 2

   You have to call a place that does the surgery and ask them. Some may take it due to health isssues with your organs.
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3. Tom

   2009 Jul 14 3

   They will but only if it’s serious enough, like getting close to getting a heart attack isn’t enough. Can’t believe how stingy they are. In Europe they help you, Watch "Sicko" great insight. I’m from Germany and there you get a Free Yearly Physical to make sure your ok. In England if your not well the doctor don’t get paid much.
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   I was born in Germany and have watched "Sicko" and know of someone that has had the weight loss surgery.

4. vongwarrior

   2009 Jul 14 4

   medicare doesnt cover anything they dont explicitly have to. this includes "elective" surgeries. for example if you needed a heart transplant, which for some reason last time i checked was considered elective, you are out of luck. i think weightloss surgeries are under the same category. i may be wrong. i suggest you call medicare and get a person to talk to then ask them
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5. Zarnev

   2009 Jul 14 5

   There are 5 basic types of bariatric surgery. Medicare will not cover sleeve gastrectomy or vertical gastric banding. They will cover Roux-en-Y bypass (RYGBP), Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS), and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) under they following conditions: You must have a BMI of greater than 34, you must have at least one co-morbidity related to obesity, and you must have been previously unsuccessful with medical treatment for obesity. In addition, these procedures are only covered when performed at facilities that are certified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1 Bariatric Surgery Center or certified by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

   You can find approved facilities on this website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/coverage.asp If you contact these facilities they will help your further.
   References :
   Independent Agent
   Certified Senior Advisor(TM)