Does Medicaid cover gastric bypass surgery????

I have been working on getting the gastric bypass for almost two years -- I have no insurance, so I am going through Arkansas Rehabilitation, and have been turned down. I am in the middle of an appeal. In the meantime, I have become disabled because of my medical problems associated with my weight. I am supposed to start receiving Medicaid soon, and I was wondering if anyone knew whether Medicaid would cover the surgery. I happen to think that it is ridiculous how much crap you have to go through to be approved for this life-saving surgery. My husband had it through Arkansas Rehab and it saved his life. Now I am on disability at the young age of 31, and still haven't been approved. You would think that the state would rather shell out a little help for the surgery and get me back in the work force so I can pay them more taxes..... I happen to know from when my husband had his surgery that the gov. only pays about $6000 total for the entire surgery, including the doctor's fees. To me, this is small beans compared to paying me $1000 per month for 34 years ****il I can draw social security) hmmm... which one makes more sense?

Medicaid does cover gastric bypass, but not all docs and hospitals will accept what medicaid pays. Do your research and you will find someone who will accept the medicaid. I used Doc Lambert in Batesville. There are several docs in Little Rock and even one in Searcy. Good luck on your journey and donr give up.

Thanks David; since I originally posted this message, I have discovered that Medicaid does cover it, but now I need to find out if anyone knows whether Dr. Baker in Little Rock accepts it. I have emailed his office -- just waiting for a reply now. Thanks again!!

Just wanted to update this post -- I've been approved through AR rehab. Praise the Lord!!! Tammy

Hi Tammy!! Congratulations on your approval!! I was wondering what is arkansas rehab. I was thinking of applying for medicaid in hopes i would get approved (my insurance has any type of wls as an exclusion!! First Health ins. sucks!!

Hi Jillian! Arkansas Rehabilitation Services is a program that is basically there to help keep people from getting disabled and not being able to work. They are part of Arkansas Workforce, which is there to help people who can't find work to find a job, sometimes helping them go to school to earn a degree. This is something you have to qualify for financially; I'm not sure what the cut-off is though. You also have to qualify medically to be approved to have the WLS, and you have to prove that you can't work because of your weight. Then you have to go through a lot of stuff to be approved -- it took me over sixteen months and I was denied four times, and I appealed it every time. I ended up contacting the governor's office through his website and filing a complaint against AR Rehab for not approving me even though my doctors have said that I will end up with an amputation if I don't get this weight off soon. I also told them that I had contact a lawyer. I don't know if that is what did it, but I was approved within a few days of filing the complaint. I just thank God I was approved, whatever the reason. Here's their website: http://www.arsinfo.org/ Hope this helps!

hello I am having mine from medicaide 3/1 any questions I will try to help. So far its only taken a few months to get the paper work completed and going very smoothly. I was told state employees can't even have it done yet here i am. I feel very lucky!!!!!!!

I was wondering what the whole process is. I need someone to walk me through it step by step, I will be getting medicaid soon and I am so new to all of this, I need someone to tell where to start. Do I go to my pcp first and get referral, or do I go straight to surgeon or do I go to my case worker. And after that what all do I need to have in order? And how long does all of this take before a date for surgery is scheduled, and can you recommend a doctor, I am willing to travel anywhere in the state. Thanks so much, Lisa

go to your PCP for referral -- I recommend Dr. John W. Baker at Baptist in LR -- then contact Becky at Dr. Baker's office. They have a website: www.obesity-surgery.net Ask Becky to help you with the step by step on how to apply through Medicaid. She is great and very helpful, also, she understands; she's had the surgery herself. Hope this helps!

Gongratulations Tammy! Did you say it has taken you over 16 months to get qualified by Ark. Rehab??!!! May I ask please, why they denied you so many times? I mean, what their reasons were? This is makeing me very nervous. I mean I can see a couple of months with all the government red tape but 16 MONTHS!