Does medicare and medi-cal insurance cover any weight loss surgery or programs?
April 29, 2010 by admin
Filed under Question & Answer
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I’m very obese with a very high BMI. I got medicare and medi-cal as health insurances, can they cover any weight loss treatments or surgeries?
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In most situations, weight loss surgeries are considered as a ‘cosmetic surgery’ and are not covered by insurance.
This is why you can get your teeth cleaned (it’s covered) but you pay out of your own pocket to have them laser whitened (not covered).
Medi-Cal does NOT cover any weight loss medications, unless the pharmacy dispensing it is willing to write a TAR (Treatment Authorization Request), and that too only with a valid RX from a doctor who can provide them with a Medical Justification as to why u need such med. In other words, u need a doctor and a pharmacy willing to do a little extra work to be able to fill ur prescription for an appetite-suppressant.
If TAR is approved then they will dispense u w/the med. They’ll need to know ur height/weight/BMI in order to be able to justify why taking this med could be beneficial to ur health.
As far as procedures, sorry, i have no idea.