MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SURGEONS LIST!

Medi-cal is not just for people on aid some people have no or very low incomes also quailfy and insurance is the only aid they except

Bakersfield Bariatric Center - 661-326-5381

Medi-cal is what we Cali's call the medicaid program here.
JOY

Bakersfield Bariatric Medical Group.  I am sorry I do not have a number for them though. I know that they take medical. Liz

Dr. Mark Vierra in Monterey. 950 Cass Street Monterey, CA  93940 831-649-0808 He's wonderful.  I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  I have Medicare/Medical and it didn't cost me a penny.  Great staff too!

On Wednesday I went to Dr. Vierra's seminar and he said that Medicare will not pay for VSG.  What type of surgery did you get?

Hi ~ I has RNY back in August 2006.  At that time I had both Medicare and Medi-Cal and I didn't have to pay a cent except since I didn't live in Monterey or anywhere near Monterey I had to rent a motel for a week.  He wanted me close just in case something was to come up.

He's a wonderful doctor and I wouldn't have changed to a different doctor for nothing.  Unfortunately I have had many many problems since (NOT related to surgery) and have gained about 80 lbs. out of the 180 that I originally lost.  I can't walk far as I have a bad back and many many more problems which I won't go into.  As I stated they are NOT related to surgery though.  I just have to figure out something low impact where I can sweat but won't hurt my back.

I am also going through a divorce now and since I am on SSI Disability I was grarnted $800 in spousal support and with Medi-Cal that put me over the edge financially.  I have a $1200 MONTHLY share of cost, which is ridiculous.  I don't know of many doctors will accept just Medicare as a complete payment.  You will need a secondary insurance (from what I understand).

I wish you the best of luck and you live and I am envious of the area you live in.  I love Monterey.  I live up in Yosemite, so I am lucky as well, but during the summer it gets hot as heck.

Good luck to you and write me anytime.

Hugs,
*Carol*

Check out the Kaiser "STEPS" program for low-income individuals or families.  It's not the "walking steps program, but an actual insurance program within Kaiser for people having a hard time affording insurance.  It's kinds hard to find on their website, but the info is there.

 Did you go through the Kaiser Steps Program for your VSG? Just wanted to know the process. Thanks

Crown Bariatric in Corona, CA has done at least one that I know of. I hear this man speak at support groups. He was a drug addict, smoked, and was severely overweight. He consulted the surgeon Dr. David Suh, who also did my RNY surgery.  The doctor told him to stop smoking, and go to a rehab clinic. The man did this--he was sober and had stopped smoking. Then the doctor told him to loose some weight by exercising, and come back several months later. The doctor wanted to make sure his sobriety was still there. The man did get the surgery, exercises daily, and is so grateful for life today. I don't know if it was Medicare or Medicaid that qualified him, but it was not any private insurance. Hope this helps.