GCS with Medicare Advantage Plan???

[nozomichansparkles]

Hi, it's my first time posting here. Does anyone have any info on surgeons who accept Medicare Advantage Plans?
I have United Health Care (UHC) as my Medicare Advantage Plan. I got Medicare because I am a disabled vet, and I asked UHC if my surgery would be covered and was told that there was should be no issues. So, I sent off my packet and $1000 placeholder to Dr. Bowers office and I was given a surgery date for July 2021, however I was called back and told that because it was a Medicare Advantage Plan that they would be unable to help me and they were refunding my $1000. I am desperate! Please, if anyone knows anything that could possibly help me get the surgery I need to live please let me know!

[ForeverLacey]

Would they reimburse you if you paid out of pocket? Not familiar with your plan, but possible to take out a loan to pay for surgery and pay it back when you are reimbursed. Give Medicare a call and see what options are available and who's in your network that could perform this type of surgery.

[Dena]

Depending on the state you live in, Medicare may pay for the surgery however there is a complication. The rate Medicare would pay is so low that only a limited number of surgeons will accept it. Normally these doctors are associated with Universities and you should be able to locate them by searching this area with the site search. Medicare is often discussed so searching for medicare should turn up some hits.  As for medicare, you will have to check with your state to find out what coverage if any they provide for surgery.

[Gail20]

Evidently, to date, the only patient that Medicare actually paid for GCS was the woman in Chicago who sued.  Medicare paid but it was under the Obama administration. I had surgery this past August at NYU, and while Medicare paid for the pre-op appt, in the end, they refused to pay NYU after the surgery.  It was a complete surprise to NYU and me. 

[nozomichansparkles]

Hi!
I know it's a late reply, but I wanted to say thank you to those of you who took the time to answer.
I also wanted to provide an update!
I have dropped my advantage plan and kept straight Medicare, and I have a surgery date set for Jan 30 2019 with Dr Maurice Garcia at Cedars-Sinai in LA for GCS!
I also have Breast Augmentation with Dr. Ray at a different date, and Laryngoplasty for voice with Dr Barbu being planned (laryngoplasty has to be the last surgery because they don't want you intubated after that), and all with Medicare.
The thing to know about this is that Medicare doesn't pre-authorize for these surgeries, so they will preform the surgeries, but you must sign a promissory note with the hospital stating that you will be responsible for the cost if Medicare refuses to pay (although they the hospital will file all available appeals before that happens).
I really hope this info can help someone else!

[GingerVicki]

Hi!
I know it's a late reply, but I wanted to say thank you to those of you who took the time to answer.
I also wanted to provide an update!
I have dropped my advantage plan and kept straight Medicare, and I have a surgery date set for Jan 30 2019 with Dr Maurice Garcia at Cedars-Sinai in LA for GCS!
I also have Breast Augmentation with Dr. Ray at a different date, and Laryngoplasty for voice with Dr Barbu being planned (laryngoplasty has to be the last surgery because they don't want you intubated after that), and all with Medicare.
The thing to know about this is that Medicare doesn't pre-authorize for these surgeries, so they will preform the surgeries, but you must sign a promissory note with the hospital stating that you will be responsible for the cost if Medicare refuses to pay (although they the hospital will file all available appeals before that happens).
I really hope this info can help someone else!

Thanks for posting!

I have Medicare and a United plan myself. I have mine because I qualified for Medicaid and Medicare. Do they not cover GCS? I was advised that everything covered by Medicare would still be in force and that they only add to.

[Jen61]

Has anyone confirmed that Medicare Advantage plans cover GCS and/or related surgeries?

Jen

Sent from my BND-L34 using Tapatalk