Updates

  The Bariatric Support Group meeting for December 2008 has been CANCELLED.  We will resume regular meetings in January 2009. HAPPY HOLIDAYS

We Have Relocated....

Effective 3/24/08 our office has relocated down the hall from our previous site to Suite 102, on the 4th floor of the Medical Arts Bldg.

        MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENT CHANGE FOR BARIATRIC SURGERY:   Effective September 01st, 2007 Medical Assistance now requires 4 months of medically supervised weight loss documentation as part of their prior-authorizaton process.  This is an increase in documentation required from previously when patients were only required to have 3 mths. 

******IMPORTANT UPDATE:  As of July 01st, 2007 UPMC Health Plan will begin following the Medicare Protocol for coverage for the LAP Band Procedure and that is as follows:  The LAP Band will ONLY be covered at a Medicare Center of Excellence. Currently, Windber Medical Center is NOT a Medicare Center of Excellence.   Dr Marley along with the Windber Medical Center are tediously working on making this requirement a reality in our community, and are working towards Windber Hospital becoming a Center of Excellence in the near future. Until that time, UPMC Health Plan will NO LONGER cover the LAP Band at Windber Medical Center.  We will keep the community updated on the progress of this endeavor.