PP08       Title: The Metamorphosis of Bariatric Surgery Case Management Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 Time: 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM Type: POSTER Level: BASIC Track: - Sponsor(s): - Speaker(s): Teresa A. Emmons; Lisa Abas Vogele In the United States today, obesity has reached the epidemic stage with over 32 % of the population classified as obese. A landmark decision was made on February 21, 2006 by Medicare to allow beneficiaries to have coverage for bariatric surgery. This was a turning point for bariatric surgery and the healthcare industry. It is now critical for the case manager to provide guidance through the continuum of the bariatric surgery for this population to assure the highest quality and cost effective health care is available due to the increase of bariatric surgeries being performed. The case manager’s goal is to empower the health care consumer to be well informed to be successful in this life changing event. This poster will feature the infrastructure of case management for bariatric surgery consumers within the managed care arena. The presentation will directly illustrate the win-win situation for all parties involved through the health care maze of bariatric surgery using a multidisciplinary approach by the case manager. Objectives: Explain the Healthcare Maze to the bariatric patient   State information that can help bariatric patients be successful with this life-changing event.   Demonstrate that the multidisciplinary approach is a win-win situation for all involved in bariatric surgery.