medicare insurance in NY " center of excellance"?

Hi, I'm new here, to the message board, but am interested to know if anyone has had RNY Lap at a hospital in NY that has been approved as a "center of excellance." I have medicare and B/C B/s but unfortunately live in Syr. NY. No center of excellance near? Have been through the program at Upstate Med.Center, but then the rules change with medicare. If anyone can help - I would appreciate it. I been waiting for something to happen since last Oct. Upstate says I'm ready for surgery - but now must go to center of exc.

Hi Tina Welcome to the boards. I know Syracuse is far, but we have an Obesity clinic here in Westchester County. They might be able to help you with your need. 914-347-0162 I had BC/BS and they paid for EVERYTHING.................. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. Marie Edie

Tina: There are 2 accreditating bodies for bariatric surgery: The American Society of Bariatric Surgeons & The American College of Surgeons Here is the link to all ASBS Centers of Excellence in NY: http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx?state=NY#srchResults There are 9 in NY listed (we are a QUITE fortunate state many have NONE!) Not sure if Buffallo or Elmira would be closest? Here is the link to the ACOS bariatric centers (there is ONE in NY): http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html New York Lutheran Medical Center Brooklyn, NY Effective Date 11/8/05-11/8/08 Level 1b ______ There is one that has provisional status: http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/provisionalapproval.html New York Albany Medical Center Hospital Albany, NY Level 1b Here is the ins/outs of Medicare and Centers Of Excellence http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdecisionmemo.asp?id=160 Basically according to the new policy, CMS will cover methods of bariatric surgery including laparoscopic and open gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric adjustable banding, open and laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion and the duodenal switch. There will be no specific criteria for prior dietary weight reduction programs, recognizing that almost all surgery patients have made numerous attempts to lose weight. In addition, to optimize quality care, coverage will only be provided if bariatric surgery is performed at an ASBS/Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) Center of Excellence or American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level One Center of Excellence. According to the CMS site these are teh ONLY centers (so not sure wha is the most current!?) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp?datefiltertype=&datefilterin terval=&filtertype=data&datafiltertypename=State&datafiltertype=4&datafiltervalue=NY&keywo rd=&cmdFilterList=Refresh+List The above link has contact info for the centers as well. Arnot Ogden Medical Center 02/24/2006 NY Bon Secours Community Hospital 02/24/2006 NY Lutheran Medical Center 02/24/2006 NY New York Methodist Hospital 02/24/2006 NY Peconic Bay Medical Center 04/06/2006 NY Sisters of Charity Hospital 02/24/2006 NY Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester 02/24/2006 NY South Nassau Communities Hospital 02/24/2006 NY Staten Island University Hospital 02/24/2006 NY White Plains Hospital Center 02/24/2006 NY Wishing you well on this journey! Remember one hospital program may say your ready to go but each program has its own requirements so it is usually like starting over sadly, may need whole new set of tests, evals, consults and meeting that hospitals criteria, many require a 10% wt loss and things like that, seminars to go to educational classess, support groups, so find all the particulars out! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

just hold out, there one of the best centers in the state. You haven't been waiting that long really. It sucks but 5 months isn't that long. Most people wait about a year or longer. So call Marcy and Nance they are great and they'll help you. You just have to call them a couple of times a day. But hold out a little longer it's just the begaining

I was also going to use the one in Syracuse but my appt got cancelled because Medicare would not pay for it because they have yet to be accredited. I ended up going to Elmira and having my surgery done. Dr. Cole and his staff are excellent and so is Arnot Ogden Medical Center. Give them a try. Kel

I had my surgery at Auburn Memorial, I know that they were in the process of becoming a Center of Excellence, do not know if they are quite through with the process. My physician is Dr. Weiss here in Auburn, he used to be in the Syracuse group until this past November when he moved to Aubur, I would give him a call. Great doctor, cannot say enough good things about him or his staff.

Hi, I am in Watertown, ny and I have medicare also. I go to the surgerry center in Saranac Lake. A couple months ago I was told that they are in the process of becoming a center of excellence also and the Adirondack Medical center has a center of excellence, so they are certain that the Bariatric Center will get it. So while I'm doing my pre-op stuff, hopefully the accreditation will go through. debby

I had Dr Graber out of Utica, and I had no problems there. No matter where you choose get as much backgound on the Dr that you can, make sure you have the good and bad. Example ask if the DR you are considering has he lost any patients and just how many surgeries he has done. Between my mother in law and cousin I have seen and lived the horror stories that can happen with the wrong Dr. So with Before you make this life altering decision get all the information that you can and make the decision that is best for you. Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/210/150 239 inches gone

congradulations on your wl. How wonderful. You must feel awesome!!! Question - Did you have open RNY? What insurance? I have medicare and BC BS. I'm disabled due to a back problem and RA. If you don't mind, drop me a note when you can! Tina Whitmore Liverpool