It may also establish certain conditions or limitations on coverage. Ninety-two cents of every dollar raised in Illinois goes into
community service, advocacy, research, and education programs to help all
babies have a healthy start in life.

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Once a request for an NCD is made, CMS is
required to make a decision within six months.
In July 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminated
the Medicare policy statement previously stating that obesity was not a
disease.
In its NCD request, the ASBS recommended that Medicare patients who meet
eligibility requirements should be directed only to those hospitals and
surgeons with a high degree of expertise and experience in the surgical
treatment of morbid obesity.

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asbs.

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It encourages
its members to investigate and discover new advances in bariatric surgery,
while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to
improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients. Sunday, April 24, 9:00 AM in Grant Park on Columbus Near Roosevelt

Five Additional Suburban Locations

CHICAGO,

What: WalkAmerica is an annual event and the March of Dimes leading
source of revenue.

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Sugerman added.

Who: The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose
mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and
infant mortality.

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Registration at 8:00 AM and Walk begins at
9:00 AM

How: The Walk is six miles long, beginning on Columbus near Roosevelt and
moves north through the Loop down Michigan Avenue to North Avenue, down
the lake front and back to the Museum Campus .

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The ASBS says a new NCD should provide significant cost savings to Medicare
over the long -run. For more information
about the ASBS, visit http://www. A minimum donation of $25.

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In addition, the request outlines how weight loss surgery has been shown
to decrease mortality when compared to non-surgical treatments, dramatically
decrease or eliminate numerous medical complications of obesity, pay for
itself through decreased medication costs, physician and hospital visits over
time and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from morbid obesity. These are children who are "successful
graduates" of hospital neonatal intensive care units, walk team
ambassadors and other children.

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, The American Society for
Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) has submitted an official request to Medicare for a
new National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Bariatric Surgery to improve
access to weight loss surgery for Medicare recipients. We hope Medicare looks favorably upon this request for
improved coverage and provides beneficiaries access to this potentially
lifesaving surgery wherever they may live in the country," Dr.
"Should bariatric surgery provide removal of disability status through
improvement in disabling arthritis, cardiovascular or pulmonary dysfunction ,
cost savings would be significant for Medicare and the health implications
would be enormous ," Dr. This
year's goal is to raise $2.2 million in the Chicagoland area.

Where: Chicago 's Grant Park (Starting line is on Columbus near Roosevelt)

When: Sunday, April 24th. Also leading the walk will be a special
group of "Miracle Mile" walkers.

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According to the current Medicare Coverage Manual, Medicare only covers
gastric bypass surgery, one form of weight loss surgery , if it is medically
appropriate and if the surgery is used to correct an illness "which caused the
obesity or was aggravated by the obesity. Charles.

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5 million
participants throughout the United States.

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There are six walk sites in the
Chicagoland area, including the largest in Chicago's Grant Park where more
than 10,000 walkers are expected to participate.

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"
The ASBS is requesting that Medicare cover other methods of weight loss
surgery, including laparoscopic procedures, and that coverage be made more
uniform throughout the country.

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Expanded Medicare Coverage Sought for Weight Loss Surgery

GAINESVILLE, Fla.

This category is for sites whose primary goal is to provide medical help for children.

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Approximately 90% of Medicare beneficiaries who currently receive weight
loss surgery are under 65 and are categorized as Disabled under the Social
Security Act.
The ASBS is the largest organization for bariatric surgeons in the world.org. For more information visit http: //www.

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"Weight loss surgery has been shown to be the most effective treatment for
people with a BMI of 40 or more (about 100 lbs above ideal body weight)
regardless of the medical complications of obesity and for people with a BMI
of 35 to 40 if they have one or more complications, such as diabetes or severe
joint dysfunction," said Harvey Sugerman, MD, President, ASBS. In November, a Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) concluded
that there is significant scientific evidence supporting the safety and
effectiveness of open and laparoscopic weight loss surgery and its ability to
improve a number of life-threatening obesity related conditions including
diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol in the general adult
population.
It is a non-profit organization that works to advance the art and science of
bariatric surgery and is committed to educating medical professionals and the
lay public alike about bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of
morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits. It began in 1970 and attracts more than 2.

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35th Annual March Of Dimes WalkAmerica

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Sugerman said.
An NCD is a determination by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) that a specific item or service is or is not covered by
Medicare.

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Why: Last year, more than 20,000 walkers throughout the state of Illinois
raised almost 3 million for the March of Dimes campaign to prevent birth
defects , prematurity and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of
research , community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and
in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature
birth.

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NCDs are binding on all Medicare contractors and no local coverage policy may
be inconsistent with an NCD. The number of people who are morbidly obese
is growing at double the rate of the rest of the obese population.com/illinois .

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Suburban sites include
Naperville, Highland Park, Schaumburg, Tinley Park and St.marchofdimes.

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"The current coverage policy has become outdated as new surgical
procedures have become available and as evidence mounts as to their safety and
effectiveness.
Morbid obesity continues to be a growing problem in the U. affecting
between 8 and 12 million people.00
per person is requested to walk.

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Currently , Medicare coverage of weight loss
surgery is decided from region to region.S.

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As with any surgery, the risks and benefits should be carefully considered
by the surgeon, the patient and the patient's family. Since it started, WalkAmerica
has raised more than $1 billion to help fight birth defects and infant
mortality. They are visual reminders of why people
are walking .