Medicare Bariatric Surgery Coverage

Medicare bariatric surgery has been approved, but certain caveats apply. Below we’ll review…

• What are Medicare, Medigap and Medicaid?
• Bariatric surgery for people 65 and older – is it safe and effective?
• Caveats for Medicare to approve bariatric surgery
• How to apply for Medicare or Medigap coverage

What are Medicare, Medigap and Medicaid?

• Medicare
• Medigap
• Medicaid

Medicare

Medicare is a U.S. government-controlled health care program for people…

• 65 or older
• Under 65 with certain disabilities
• Any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Medicare has four separate parts, including:

1. Part A (Hospital insurance) – Qualifying individuals are usually automatically enrolled in part A unless explicitly choosing to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Part A covers inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility care, home health services and hospice care (not long-term custodial care).
   
   As long as you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes during your working life, Part A will usually be offered at no charge. You also have the choice of paying for Part A (as a part of a Medicare Advantage plan, for example).


2. Part B (Medical insurance) – Part B covers outpatient care, doctor office visits, home health and some preventive services. If you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Part B. Unless you opt out by sending the Medicare card back when it arrives, you will be billed accordingly.


3. Part C (Medicare Advantage program) – Medicare Advantage offers the benefits included under Part A and Part B in addition to other benefits such as prescription drugs, dental, vision or hearing. They also offer options to lower your out-of-pocket costs when using the plan. Most of plans require that you use a special network of doctors and hospitals (i.e. HMO, PPO, etc.).
   
   Medicare Advantage is offered through insurance companies that have been approved by the government, although it is not available in all states.


4. Part D (Prescription drug coverage) – Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to everyone enrolled in Medicare and is offered through private companies that have been approved by the government. Medicare-eligible individuals have the option of purchasing Part D along with the traditional Parts A and B or as a part of a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).

Medigap

Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance, covers costs that Parts A through D do not. As with Medicare Advantage, as long as you qualify for Medicare you can purchase Medigap coverage through approved insurance companies or a broker that represents them.

Medicaid

Medicaid programs are state-run programs established for low-income individuals or families. Medicaid pays medical benefits directly to providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.) for “Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries.” If you qualify, each state has its own requirements and may or may not pay for the surgery.

Bariatric Surgery for People 65 and Older

There are contradicting opinions about whether or not weight loss surgery is safe and effective for people 65 years of age and older…

• One 2009 study evaluated 100 patients over the age of 65 and found that bariatric surgery for seniors has similar benefits and no additional risks compared to patients under 65.  In fact, they showed that morbidly obese patients over 65 actually have shorter hospital stays following bariatric surgery than younger patients. The same study showed that after two years older patients lost almost 76% of their excess weight.
• However, a 2006 study showed that seniors experience less weight loss and more complications than younger patients. 

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS):

Take a look at the CMS web site to read their entire opinion.

The takeaway is that bariatric surgery may be appropriate for people over 65 depending each individual’s situation. The only real way to find out is to get the direct opinion of good bariatric surgeon.

Most surgeons offer free seminars that teach you about your options and their office's specific results. The seminars also allow you to get to know the surgeon prior to a one-on-one consultation (usually free as well).

Click here to find and schedule a free in-person seminar or one-on-one consultation with a qualified weight loss surgeon in your area.

You can also click here to learn how to evaluate and interview potential bariatric surgeons.

Caveats for Medicare bariatric surgery to be approved

Medicare has determined that bariatric surgery is appropriate for the treatment of obesity as long as the patient has…

1. A body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 (see our BMI Formula page for more on body mass index)
2. At least one co-morbidity related to obesity
3. Has documentation in their medical records confirming that previous attempts at medical treatment for obesity have been unsuccessful

If all of the above apply, the surgery must be one of the following types…

• Gastric bypass surgery (open or laparoscopic)
• Lap band surgery (laparoscopic only)
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) (open or laparoscopic)

To get approved, you’ll need to be referred by your primary care physician or other attending doctor (probably not just a self-referral to a bariatric surgeon). In their referral to a bariatric surgeon, your physician should refer to the obesity health problems that are expected to improve after surgery.

If you obtain/have traditional Medicare coverage, you'll need to choose a facility that meets the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ minimum facility standards and certification requirements for Medicare bariatric surgery. Click here to search their directory.

If you choose/have Medicare Advantage, you'll need to verify that your chosen surgical team and their hospital are in your insurance company's network. Call your insurance company directly to find out.

Regardless of which Medicare plan you have or are applying for, talk with your surgeon to find out if they accept Medicare/Medicare Advantage. They may have some especially useful tips on how to streamline the process with Medicare Advantage insurance companies in your area.

How to Apply for Medicare Coverage

Applying for coverage for a Medicare plan depends on your goals and situation. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria described above, following are your options:

• Part A (Hospital insurance) – As explained above, qualifying individuals are usually automatically enrolled in part A unless explicitly choosing to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C described below). As long as you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes during your working life, Part A will usually be offered at no charge.
  
  You also have the choice to pay for Part A as a part of a Medicare Advantage plan.


• Part B (Medical insurance) – If you receive Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled in Part B.
  
  If you do not, you can apply for both Social Security and Medicare at the same time three months before the month you turn 65. See Medicare.gov for more information.
  
  You can also enroll in Part B via a Medicare Advantage program...


• Part C (Medicare Advantage program) – If you want more robust benefits than Parts A and B offer including prescription drugs, dental, vision or hearing and the option for lower out-of-pocket costs for doctor and hospital visits, Medicare Advantage is the way to go.


• Part D (Prescription drug coverage) – To obtain Medicare Prescription Drug coverage, you are required to have Medicare Part A and/or Part B. To get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, enrollment in Part A and Part B is mandatory. Call (800)MEDICARE for traditional plans or work with your Medicare Advantage plan to add it to your Medicare Advantage policy.


• Medigap - Just like Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Plans are offered through government-approved insurance companies. While you can work with insurance companies directly, we recommend working with a qualified broker to help you compare multiple insurance companies and choose the option that's best for you.