Please help me!

I am trying to find a surgeon for my husband. We have Florida Medicaid & are having an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT time! I'm getting VERY FRUSTRATED!!! If anyone can help, PLEASE MESSAGE ME! Thanks, Beth Beaman

Beth- You might want to take a look at this thread -- there was some mention of surgeons who take medicaid. http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/FL/postdetail/48295.html?vc=0

Beth, I think the surgeons At St. Vincents Hospital in Jacksonville florida accept it

Beth, Hi! Sorry that you are having such a difficult time finding a surgeon. There are several different Medicaid Products (Programs) in Florida and some surgeons may accept one Product and not another one. That is why it gets so confusing. Someone will say so and so doctor accepts Medicaid and then when you call they say nope we don't accept that because it isn't the product that they accept. I know that Dr. Gonzalvo and Dr. Gordon in Clearwater accept the Stay Well Medicaid Program. I went down there with a support group member last week. I was quite impressed by the information session, nutrition session and the nurse practioner who saw us. They seem to really be on the ball and I learned a lot that I didn't know and I am almost 3 months post op. They do both lap band and gastric bypass but I was told Stay Well will only cover gastric bypass and in most cases they (Medicaid) require 12 month physician supervised weight loss program before they will approve. The NP said they may waive that in some cases if all the physicians involved feel that it would imperil the life of the pt. to wait and if they will all write letters so stating. Hope this info helps some. I don't know about any of the other Medicaid programs. I have heard that Dr. Jawaad in Ocala accepts Medicaid but I don't know which product and I think the program at Celebration Hospital in Orlando also accepts Medicaid but again unsure which Program. Good luck with your search! Kat

Thank you for your help! I will be looking into this more! My husband NEEDS this surgery!!!!!! We've been looking for over 2 years now. It has happpened just like you said--- you hear that this doctor accepts Medicaid, so you call them & they say no.  We've gone through this more times than I can count!    I'm sure my husband's doctor will do anything possible to help hurry this through!

Beth, Dr Jawad no longer accept Medicaid, he got burned and that was it for him. I do not know of anyone else who does. Sorry. Sandy W

I believe Dr. Beltre in Altamonte Springs accepts medicaid http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Wiljon+W+Beltre+rsd.html Wiljon W. Beltre M.D. 685 Palm Springs Dr. Ste. E Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 Phone: (407) 830-6868 Fax: (407) 830-7801

Hi Beth, www.DrWizman.com My surgeon's program has been granted the center of excellence status, which is required for Medicaid patients. Dr. Paul Wizman performs flawless lap scope surgeries 3 main types and revisions of all types. You may want to click on his site or give the office a call to see if perhaps they can give you more info. 954-969-1355 Best wishes for your family! Kim Boca Raton, FL

Check the group at CelebrationHealth Orlando....I saw Kristen mention Medicaid to another patient....407-303-4504...ask to speak with Jennifer Layne or Kristen Howell they will be able to help you.... Belana