VWilkin122
Band to Sleeve
Nov 07, 2013
Hi i am returning to this site after a few years. In 2007 I had a band put in and lost about 40 pounds. But it was torture. I was more compliant with this band than any other weight loss attempts in the past. Unfortunately i could never get the band adjusted properly either it was too tight and I was vomiting up everything or i had no restriction at all. i had more fills and unfills than I care to count. i really wanted this to work. In 2011 I had band removed. I was so disappointed and discouraged. I then moved to North Carolina and my insurance changed and i got Medicare who back then would not pay for the sleeve, too experimental they said. Now I understand they will pay and I'm trying to get it done but there is no preapproval with Medicare. my surgeon says that i qualify but if for some reason Medicare refuses to pay ill be stuck with the bill. He say Medicare does not like to pay for revision surgery. my old insurance paid to put the band in Medicare paid to remove it. Has anyone dealt with Medicare in a situation like this? Did they pay initially or after appeal or not at all.I have a secondary insurance who may pay something but sounds like i may have a fight ahead of me. Any advice please?
