Will Medicare Cover Weight Loss Surgery?

One of the most frequently asked questions concerning Medi Cal is, "Does Medi Cal cover weight loss surgery?" While Medi Cal does provide some financial aid to those who need it most, the truth is that Medi Cal is not designed to pay for serious medical procedures like weight loss surgery. In fact, the only type of surgery covered by Medi Cal is plastic surgery, including breast reduction and rhinoplasty. So, even though you may have health problems that prevent you from meeting the minimum income requirement to qualify for Medi Cal, there are several ways that you can get Medi Cal benefits to having a pre-existing condition. Here's how.

In order to be eligible for Medi Cal, you must meet the regular income guidelines that apply to every California resident. This means that if you have poor health and are unable to meet the income requirements for Medi Cal, you will not be approved. The only exception to this rule is if you have one of several health conditions that would otherwise be considered a hardship on your ability to meet the Medi-Cal standard. In this case, you may be able to request a "special needs" insurance plan to cover your weight loss surgery costs.

Medi-Cal provides some coverage for "gastric bypass surgery" and gastric sleeve surgery, but these procedures are not intended to help you lose weight. These types of surgeries are usually used as a means of weight control and to slow the aging process. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or obesity, you should discuss weight loss surgery with your doctor. It's best to do this before your surgery, so you will have an idea of what type of coverage you will need.

Medi-Cal does offer prescription assistance if you are seeking weight loss surgery. However, it is illegal in most states to sell drugs directly to patients needing surgery. This means that your doctor will have to work with you to get a prescription from Medicare or a private insurance company. This can be expensive, but sometimes Medicare or Medicaid will cover the cost of the prescription in order to help your surgery.

Medi-Cal also offers coverage for certain "recreational" weight loss products, such as body wraps and diet pills. While the FDA has not approved any of these products to treat obesity, they do not include dieters as medical treatments for obesity. This means that they are not covered by Medi-Cal. Be careful, however. Some body wraps and diet pills claim to reduce the size of your waist, when actually they only tightens the skin.

For Medi-Cal recipients who are having surgery to repair serious disabilities that may be limiting their mobility, Medicare will cover part of the expenses related to the procedure. To find out if Medicare will cover your weight loss surgery, contact the private insurance agency or Medicare Part B. Medicare does not cover the cost of weight-loss surgery for anyone other than an obese person who is considered "morbidly obese". This definition is based on your height and age.

Another thing you should remember about weight loss surgery is that it may result in some long-term hospital stays. If you are having surgery to correct your medical condition, you should ask your doctor about the length of time you will be hospitalized. The surgery will most likely require several days of hospital time, possibly a week or more. You should also ask what your surgeon will charge for any post-surgical complications that occur during your surgery.

It is important to understand all of the facts before you sign up for weight loss surgery. Medi-Cal programs are designed to help those who are financially vulnerable afford the procedures they need to improve their health and quality of life. Before signing up for a Medi-Cal plan, it is wise to discuss your particular situation with a qualified representative from the California Medi-Cal board. They can help you determine if Medi-Cal will cover your procedure. Before you commit to any type of surgery, you should carefully consider all options.