I certainly hope that the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) obesity program is productive
for some people somewhere. I had blogged about it here. Locally at
least, (in the two cities I have checked on), the program is managed
by the Bariatric Surgery Departments. This means that for those of
us that are obese, we have to expect attempts will be made to moved
us away from the CMS obesity program to the surgery program. Great
for their pockets and possibly not good for our health.
I have had two appointments that were
unproductive. The first appointment I received for April 30 was a
sham. I was told the person I had the appointment with was in
surgery and would not be available for me. With that, I was given a
second appointment for May 6 and sent on my way. When I arrived on
May 6, I was told to pay $120 to get into the program. I had not
been informed of this and plainly said so. I was told they had no
programs to help with the cost and without the money; they would be
canceling my appointment. I was handed a letter and another paper
that I was to have received in the mail before the appointment. I
have received neither.
I commented that this was an effective
way of saying they did not want me in the program. I was again told
when I paid the $120 I would be evaluated (for what – I clearly fit
the CMS program – maybe this evaluation is to determine if I can be
moved to the surgery side) and that was all that could be done
without the payment from me. Before saying something else that would
not help my case, I left. Now that I have been home and emailed a
friend that was planning on being in the program in a town east of
Rockford, Illinois, I am still angry. He also is not in the program
and had an upfront fee of $180 to pay. He says in talking to another
friend in a Chicago suburb, he would have needed to pay $240 before
he would be in the program. What the @#!&? He said I was the
lucky one with the smallest amount to pay. In addition, I have the
longest distance to travel (30 miles) as he only has three blocks
which he said he walks.
I say this is not right when Medicare
makes no statement of additional fees and yet all three of us must
pay varying fees to get in the program. Hopefully some people are
not facing this or larger fees to take advantage of Medicare's
Obesity Program. It would be interesting to find out from others
what fees they pay or were asked to pay. I would sincerely like to
know and my email is on my profile page or you are welcome to leave a
comment.
