Medi-Cal HMO Insurance Issues

Well.. After several months of searching for a Doctor who will accept my insurance which is Medi-Cal Care 1st (L.A. Health Plan) I come this message board empty handed. I'm so very frustrated!! I called all the numbers provided on this form and none were successful.. I don't know what I can do anymore.. If anyone out there can suggest anything I beg of you to please please help me!! I live in Noralk California and willing to travel.. I have gone through the red tape of getting a referral from my primary doctor.. now I just need a surgeon who will accept my insurance!

Thank you

Piper

Piper,
I don't know if you've already seen/looked at it, but at the top of the page on the California Forum, there's a post there asking for info on doctor's in california that take Medicaid/MediCal.  Try looking there; it seems there are quite a few posts.

Good luck.

Hi Piper,

When I had my surgery, I had Kaiser (through my husband's work), then I had Medi-Care and Medi-Cal. My first thing I had to find is a Center of Excellence (C.O.E.). Medi-Care and Medi-Cal will not approve the surgery unless it is done by such a center. There are a couple. The one I chose is Pacific Bariatric in San Diego, they contract with Scripps Mercy Hospital. Ask your Medi-Cal worker to refer you to a approved bariatric surgeon. They also require that you note with proof of  your prior attempts of weight loss. I had this, but I know some people who were able to bypass this by enrolling in the 6 month (now 4-5 month) bariatric classes offered by Kaiser.
I know this isn't much information, but I hope it helps you.

Michelle

I am on Medi-Cal as well but it's straight Medi-Cal. My dr. is Dr. Antonio Coirin in Modesto Ca. -

Currently, straight medi-cal is requiring a 6 month diet with diet journal/documentation and it has to be dr. supervised. As well as a psych evaluation and Nutritional evaluation. I don't know if yours is any different but just a heads up in-case it's not =) 

You can look up your insurance here and see if you can find one...

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgery+insurers.html?State=CA

Just a suggestion of course - it may not help at all - just thought I'd try though!!