Gastric sleeve surgery can be a life changer. In many instances, it's a lifesaver. And, thanks to Medicare, it's affordable for those who qualify.
The best way to see if you're eligible for Medicare for gastric sleeve surgery is to contact a representative with Medicare.
In the meantime and to get you started, here are the basic, minimum requirements to get approval from Medicare for gastric sleeve:
- Your body mass index must be 35 or more
- You must have a serious illness that is directly related to your weight—diabetes or blood pressure problems, for example
- You must have struggled with obesity for at least five years
- You must have attempted to lose weight through a medically supervised weight loss program
- You must have a letter from your doctor that says he/she recommends weight loss surgery
- You must pass a psychological exam.
If you meet these criteria and wish to pursue Medicare for gastric sleeve surgery, your next step is to contact the government.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a pretty good website that is full of information that can help you get started. Don't be surprised, however, if you are forced to jump through a lot of red tape—the federal government is notorious for being inefficient, and it is not known for providing excellent customer service.
In fact, many people find that it is less frustrating and stressful to find an affordable alternative to Medicare-approval for gastric sleeve surgery. However, if Medicare will pay for your procedure, this is the advised way to go—it's obviously less expensive and you will be required to have the surgery at a Center of Excellence, which means you'll get the best possible care.
Whether you are interested in Medicare for gastric sleeve surgery or pursuing the procedure on your own, we are happy to help. Drop us an email or give us a call and one of our patient care coordinators will walk you through the process—we've become pretty good at cutting through the Medicare red tape.
