Question:
Has anyone had surgery that has ssi disabilty?

How are you doing now and do you have any problems?    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 5, 2000)

March 5, 2000
Hello, I have Medicare from Social Security Disability. Medicare does not require preauthorization for WLS but not all doctors will take Medicare because they are either not guaranteed payment or low reinbursement. I found in my research that the doctors affiliated with large medical centers and Medical schools ansd universities were willing to accept Medicare than doctors in private practice. I had a Lap BPD-DS with Dr. Gagner from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City on January 6, 2000. I have not gotten any bill from them or heard from Medicare yet and I'm not sweating it either. FYI, I had a Medicare HMO (AvMed) which said they cover WLS but were terrible to deal with and stalled and lied and ultimately denied me the surgery so I disenrolled from the HMO and took regular Medicare which then gave me the chance of a lifetime without the anguish of denial/appeal/denial/appeal ad nauseum.
   — Fran B.

March 7, 2000
Hi, I am on SSI and was when I had my surgery. I am doing fine. I no longer take blood pressure medication and finally slept without my CPAP machine for 3 nights! My DH said I did not snore either! I am sure I will be getting off of SSI within the next year or so as I will no l9onger need to be disabled. Cheri
   — Cheri H.