The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Nov. 17 proposed covering bariatric surgery for Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes who have a body-mass index of 35 or more. Currently, Medicare covers four types of bariatric surgery for patients with a BMI of 35 or more and at least one serious health condition. It proposes to specify diabetes as one of those health conditions. The agency will accept comments on the proposed decision for 30 days and issue a final decision within 90 days.
"CMS wants to be sure that these patients have access to a solution to help them achieve a healthier weight and avoid some of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes," said CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. The agency said it did not find convincing medical evidence that bariatric surgery improved health outcomes for diabetes patients with a BMI under 35.
from AHA News
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