Medicaid and the DS x-post

So I finally found a PCP that would agree to deal with the 6month supervised diet for Medicaid because I want the DS badly and 6 months doesn't seem like any time compared to the years some people have been fighting to get their surgery. It was very difficult to find a surgeon in NC that even takes Medicaid and even harder to find one that does the DS but I found out Dr.  Voellinger in Charlotte does the DS AND takes Medicaid, woo! So I e-mailed to ask what the process was for getting an appointment with them via Medicaid to talk about the DS and got this e-mail in reply

Dear. Patient,

Currently NC Medicaid does NOT cover the DS. If you are interested in one of the two surgeries they do cover the RNYGB or the Lap-Band you may register for a seminar at the website you inquired through.


Um, wow. (No, I do NOT want a Lap-Band or the RNY, thanks.)

I was under the impression that Medicaid does cover the DS, I couldn't find anything on the NC Medicaid website that confirmed or contradicted the e-mail and everyone I talked to today from NC Medicaid seemed to have no clue what a DS was, let alone if they covered it. So long story short, does anyone know whether Medicaid does cover the DS? If they do, can I file with NC Medicaid? At this point Medicaid is my only insurance and self pay isn't an option right now without a MUCH better job.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Shonda

hey shonda im having the rny its not that bad iu promise i have medicaid as well and i never had to do a 6month diet thing all i neede was a letter for clearance and they approve it fast

I am at my wits end 2 employers and they both have the surgery excluded.  Did you have a hard time getting Medicaid?  I am new to the state and wanted to know how that works.  Can you assist?

Hi there,

I'm not sure what the exact procedure is for Medicaid, I got it as part of my SSI but I know it includes having below a certain income and some other factors to qualify. If you call the NC medicaid phone-line or go to your local Social Security office (that would probably be easiest) they can tell you everything you need to know about whether you qualify, and if you do, how to start the process

. Are you looking at the RNY or DS surgery? I know when I contacted Dr. V's office in Charlotte I was told Medicaid didn't cover the DS but I'm not sure if thats true,  have they told you Medicaid covers it? At this point I'm looking for another job with insurance so that I can get the surgery, if Medicaid actually does pay for the DS then I'm all over it.