Does Medicare cover bariatric surgery is a very important issue for obesity patients. We will also talk about bariatric surgeries and this subject in detail. Our appearance is much more important than we think. It determines both our position in the social environment and our self-confidence. Our appearance is also the basis of the first impression we leave on people. People who know nothing about us try to make inferences about our character by looking at our outward appearance. Although this may seem like prejudice at first glance, it is quite far from prejudice. Because everyone does it. This is quite normal. In other words, the reason why our first impression is important is that for some people we will not have the opportunity to introduce ourselves after the first impression.
What are the important factors in our appearance? Important factors in our appearance are our hair, face, clothes, and physique. In this article, we will focus on a subject that is more related to our physics. Weight problem is a problem that affects people all over the world. While obesity was a disease that only developed countries fought in the past, developing countries are currently struggling with obesity. Obesity is a much more serious disease than people think. In this article, we will talk about obesity and bariatric surgeries in detail. And we will answer the question of does Medicare cover bariatric surgery.
Bariatric Surgeries
Before answering the question does Medicare cover bariatric surgery, let us see what the bariatric surgeries are. Bariatric surgeries are the most important surgeries for obesity patients to regain their health. Although diet and sports seem to be a better option, it is very difficult for obesity patients to lose weight with diet and sports. And it’s nearly impossible. In fact, studies on this subject show that only two out of 100 obesity patients regain their health by dieting and doing sports. So, what are bariatric surgeries? Bariatric surgeries are all about people’s stomach. There are many surgeries under the umbrella of bariatric surgery.
All these surgeries serve the same purpose with different techniques. This aim is to reduce the capacity of the stomach and to ensure that the patient is satisfied with much less food. All bariatric surgeries are also very successful in this regard. Bariatric surgeries are the surgeries that people fear the most about risk in the world. Two of the most famous bariatric surgeries are gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery. For example, in gastric balloon surgery, the doctor sends a balloon to the patient’s stomach by endoscopic method. And this inflates the balloon. After inflating the balloon, the capacity of the stomach is reduced.
This bariatric surgery is a non-surgical operation. But most bariatric surgeries require surgery. For example, in gastric sleeve surgery, the doctor cuts the stomach to make it smaller. In other words, it does the process of reducing the capacity of the stomach by cutting the stomach. For this reason, obesity patients also want to have these surgeries. But some questions confuse people with obesity. One of these questions is the question of does Medicare cover bariatric surgery. Let us see what the answer to this question is.
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery and What are The Conditions?
Now it is time to answer the question of does Medicare cover bariatric surgery. First, I would like to say that Medicare covers bariatric surgeries. But there are some conditions. The first of the conditions is that your body mass index is above 35. You know that anyone with a body mass index over 30 is obese. People with a body mass index over 40 are morbid obesity. Medicare requires a person’s body mass index to be over 35 to cover bariatric surgeries.
Another condition is that you have a health problem caused by obesity. If you have health problems such as shortness of breath, heart rhythm disorder or bone pain, you have one more condition for your insurance to cover your bariatric surgery. Another condition is that you have a health record of failing to do something to get rid of obesity before. For example, if you have a health record that you have gone to a dietitian before and you are still obese, you will meet one of the conditions.
So, which bariatric surgeries can you have while meeting all the conditions? There are 4 bariatric surgeries covered by Medicare. The first of these is the gastric sleeve. The second is gastric bypass surgery. The other two surgeries are lap band surgery and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. This was the answer to the question of does Medicare cover bariatric surgery. Let us see what the details of these surgeries are.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most popular bariatric surgeries. In gastric sleeve surgery, the doctor sends 1 tube and 1 camera to the patient’s stomach through the hole he made in his abdomen. And thanks to this camera, he performs the patient’s surgery. In this operation, the doctor cuts eighty percent of the patient’s stomach. However, while doing this, it does not interfere with the inlet and outlet pipes of the stomach. This is a feature that distinguishes gastric sleeve surgery from gastric bypass surgery. Before ending the operation, the doctor inflates the patient’s stomach and checks whether there is a risk of leakage. And ends the surgery. Gastric sleeve is a very successful surgery. Many obesity patients regain their health with this surgery.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most popular bariatric surgeries like gastric sleeve. In gastric bypass surgery, the doctor makes a 0.5- or 1-centimeter hole in the patient’s abdomen. This is the same in gastric sleeve surgery. And it sends 1 tube and camera to the patient’s abdomen through this hole. Thanks to the camera, he performs the operation by looking at the screen in front of him. The doctor makes the stomach very small in this surgery. And it also interferes with the exit tube of the stomach. It takes part of the small intestine and prevents all the food from being digested. And so, the patient gets fewer calories. Gastric bypass surgery differs from gastric sleeve surgery with this difference. But both are very successful surgeries.
Good-to-Know: Does Medicare Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
If you are curious about whether does Medicare cover weight loss surgery is yes, Medicare covers weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgical procedures are approved by Medicare as long as they are deemed medically necessary and meet certain criteria. If you are considering weight loss surgery, it is important to discuss your options with your doctor and ask if they accept Medicare. Additionally, you can contact the Medicare helpline or health plan administrator to find out what coverage you may be eligible for and any associated costs that may not be covered by Medicare.
Knowing whether or not does Medicare cover weight loss surgery can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue weight loss surgery. Furthermore, it is important to remember that there are risks associated with any type of surgery, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Be sure to meet with a doctor who specializes in bariatric weight loss surgery in order to get the best care possible and learn about all of your options before making a final decision about pursuing weight loss surgery. Remember to have a good understanding of the expected benefits as well as potential consequences.
