GERD surgery and Medicare (medical, plan, hospital, supplement)

[slb7]

I cannot find a definitive answer anywhere as to whether Medicare will pay for the LINKS surgery for GERD.
If anyone with Medicare has had this procedure done, please advise what Medicare paid or not paid. I'm guessing the best option is to call Medicare directly or talk with my physician.

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by slb7

I cannot find a definitive answer anywhere as to whether Medicare will pay for the LINKS surgery for GERD.
If anyone with Medicare has had this procedure done, please advise what Medicare paid or not paid. I'm guessing the best option is to call Medicare directly or talk with my physician.

Medicare pays for just about any medically necessary routine procedure.

Based on this,

LINX Reflux Management | Laparoscopic Surgery | MUSC DDC

What you describe isn't at all uncommon. Further, Medicare has been paying for LINX. The problem exists for those not on Medicare, per this:

Previously, Linx surgery was covered under Medicare, but even though it had been four years since Linx entered the market, most commercial insurance companies still refused to provide a medical coverage policy for the procedure.

https://www.tampabayrefluxcenter.com...e-for-the-linx

Medicare is NOT commercial insurance.

If the doc you are seeing accepts Medicare patients, he certainly should know what Medicare will and won't pay for. Ask him or his billing people what their experience is with Medicare. If Medicare will pay for it, so will your Medigap supplement. Hopefully, you aren't on an Advantage plan. Since this appears to be a Medicare-approved procedure, Advantage should cover it as well, but Advantage insurers can drag their feet even on Medicare-approved benefits.

[slb7]

Thank you...

I was fairly optimistic this would be covered by Medicare and my supplement, just don't want to assume anything. My PC physician, clinic, hospital, etc., accept Medicare so I'll confirm with her as to the coverage.