medicare and panniculectomy?

[juliek1968]

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm ready to get rid of some extra skin. I'm down 80 lbs and want a panniculectomy. I was told by my surgeon that medicare doesn't approve this before the surgery. You have to have surgery then medicare will decide if its a medical proceedure or cosmetic. If its medical they will pay if its for cosmetic they won't and I have to pay! Anyone have medicare and have a panniculectomy what was the insurance finding. I'm getting rashes, the skin hangs, but doc said medicare likes it to hang further I'm nervous to have it done then be told not covered. Doc was all set to do it saying he sees no problem with ins approving till I told him which ins I had. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

[DBarringer58]

I have Medicare but I am waiting on the sleeve. So I can't speak about the other. Sorry. But can I asked you a question? I have a BMI of 39.?? And hypertension and I am on 3 different meds for it. I have high chlisterol. Psoriatic and RA and osteoarthritis . And psorasis. I have Ben on a medical dr diet for the last 7 most. I have almost quite smoking. Have lost 25 lbs in the last 7 mos. not much my metabolism must be dead. And I have fibro. I know I meet the criteria but how long did it take for your approval? I go back for my final weight tomoow. TIA for your help. I wished I could have helped you more. Good luck! ps the only thing I have left to do is the bloodworm. Everything else has been done. Thanks

[juliek1968]

Hi, I had revision surgery from lapband to sleeve. I didn't need approvel with medicare it just went right through. Not sure ifit was because lapband was so tight that I had reflex so bad I was vomitting in my sleep. Even when I slept on three pillows, and a reflux box spring.
Good luck to you! I have to say the sleeve was the best decision! I love it!!

[kleb42]

Make sure you are taking pictures of and documenting your rashes, I have a friend who is a plastic surgeon and he told that after the surgery if I am getting rashes, make sure Im seeing the dr for the problem and that it's documented...apparently it's the key to having the surgery approved.

[juliek1968]

Thank you! I went to the docs yesterday and she gave me meds for a yeast infection. I wish I went sooner to her, but its embrassing even though its my doc i am showing. Thank you for the advice of takjng pictures. I never thought of that. I thought just docs notes would be enough. I figure 3 months of documention will be enough. Hopefully. I would love the surgery before april