wls not on plan - ThinnerTimes

bebop · 11-20-2007, 10:10 AM

our insurance will not cover wls under any conditions. errrrrrrrrr does anyone know if medicare will cover it? I am due to get mine in July 08. I am so dissappointed.

jerakrys · 11-22-2007, 10:17 PM

I have a friend who was on medicare and they covered it. One of the requirements is you have to have a comorbidity. Just being overweight with a high BMI isnt good enough.

bebop · 11-23-2007, 03:21 AM

thank you for responding. I am also mild diabetic and a mild heart condition so I am hoping when my medicare starts in July I can get this done. wish me luck!

Hamburgler · 11-23-2007, 06:09 AM

Hope it all works out for you...I think it really depends on your doctor and how willing they are to push for it also. Overweight people are being discriminated against regularly through insurance and our employers. My employer Verizon Wireless is taking away benefits in 08 for WLS. I just got mine thank goodness, but I hate what is happening. Not everyone will or can have WLS its silly to believe that every overweight person will and cost is too much...its all wrong, cost is too much when we get sick or have other conditions related to our weight and on-going treatment for those conditions. That is the real cost. Good Luck.

bebop · 11-23-2007, 03:23 PM

how right you are. I would think more insurance companies would cover to keep medical cost down! thanks for your support!

Toony · 11-23-2007, 04:45 PM

The National Institute of Health has recognized Obesity as a disease... with that declaration, Medicare DOES cover the surgery... your surgeon's office should be able to get you up to speed on the guidelines/requirements.

Good Luck!

katie

bebop · 11-23-2007, 07:04 PM

thank you so much. when I get mine started in July I will definitely check into it. I am sick of being overweight!

Claire-in-Texas · 11-24-2007, 12:57 PM

Medicare covered me.

bebop · 11-24-2007, 01:19 PM

cool. now my other concern is plastics. how about after the wl does it cover that? I would hate to think I would have this hanging skin the rest of my life lol

Claire-in-Texas · 11-24-2007, 02:10 PM

Only covered by Medicare if it's a medical necessity (like persistent rashes, that kinda thing).

I should add here that I heard a rumor (and it's only a rumor) that there will be restrictions (maybe a 6 month supervisted diet pre-op) regarding wls surgery, so it would probably be best to give Medicare a call.

Best of luck to you!!