MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SURGEONS LIST!

So heres, the deal: I KNOW that I want to have WLS done but have only been to the Dr 3-5 times in the last 5 years. I see my new general doc  in 2 weeks and I've only seen him once. I'm kinda freaking out because my open enrollment started last week and I want to do things right the first time and have this done by the end of the year, if not, the summer. There's a few things I wanted to ask:

1) Did you guys call the surgeon before or after getting approval for WLS from your doctor?  (like a "just calling for info type call")

2) What else should I ask the bariatric surgeon's offices besides do you take Medicaid?

3) When I do find a surgeon do I go to their seminar asap or wait for my weight loss attempts and referral from my general doctor?

4) Since Medicaid/Medicare has to be done at centers of excellence do you call the hospital directly and THEY set u up with a bariatric surgeon or do they give you a list of who does business in their center?

5) Can I get started on the psychologist now?

6) *****fers you to the psych and dietician? The general dr or the bariatric surgeon?

I hope my dr goes along with my wishes and helps me with a referral. 

Thanks guys!!  I hope these aren't crazy questions. 

~Karla / Medicaid HealthEase /  Central Florida
 

 

 Sorry guys I'm just so excited to get info bcuz that puts me 1 step closer to my RNY.  OK This is my last post for the week... Promise.... 

I am in the Central Florida area, with Medicaid and called around here's what I found, as of 02/19/2013:

Dr Hoddinott (FL Bariatric Center, Ocala, Munroe Regional)- Does NOT take medicaid
UF Bariatric (Dr Ben-David, Shands Hospital)- DOES take Medicaid and all the Medicaid HMO's: they need a referral from primary physician, and you can take the seminar online, link to info book, link to UF patient information 
Celebration Hospital (Bariatric, Dr. Kim)- no answer, I left voicemail (but I suspect they don't either)
Orlando Health (ORMC, Dr Jawad & Dr Teixiera) does NOT accept any Medicaid
Dr. Marema (St. Augustine & US Bariatric in Orlando) does NOT accept any Medicaid
Dr Murr (Tampa General, USF Health, Bariatric Metabolic Institute) DOES take Medicaid and all the Medicaid HMO's: in the voicemail recording it stated that they do take Medicaid and the first step is to send out a new patient info packet, click for the phone #

 

~Karla

I had RNY on Jan 3rd with Dr Hoddinott and I have medicaid. All I had to pay was a 3.00 copay for office visits and 4.00 copay for my surgery. Nothing else out of pocket at all. I also go for my follow ups and use my medicaid card for that as well. Not sure who you spoke to but he most certainly DOES accept medicaid. Call back and ask for Stephanie she is the bariatric coordinator. 

Oh wow. That is so weird that the person told me no. Thanks for the info! I will definitely call them back. Also I had a question for anyone who used Dr. Murr. I got the packet and it says there is a $750 charge and $250 is due before you can make an appointment with the Dr., plus $30 per weight loss monitoring class. I was wondering if you can use other professionals besides his team for weigh ins, dietitian, psych, etc? $750 is not bad for a bariatric surgery but I'd rather not pay unless u absolutely have to. (?)

Hi,

I got approved for Medicaid Share of Cost last month, and I've been looking for a doctor in the Miami area, or even Broward, that accepts Medicaid share of cost. All of the doctors I've called only accept straight Medicaid , I don't know where to turn. I will truly appreciate to anyone that can lead me to the right direction.

Thank you,

Gigi

Can you please share the drs that takes straight Medicaid in Miami or Broward?

What you can do is goggle Bariatric Doctors that takes Medicaid, and Medicare. I know Dr. Muhammad Jawad in Ocala, and Orlando takes Medicare. I don't have the phone number by me. He did my surgery and he is a great doctor.

Hello Ya'll

Just wanted everyone to know the Dr. Jorge Sosa in Miami does not take shared cost. He had me drive down there and said that they decided that morning that they were not going to take it. Good Luck

 

Hello, I am in NORTH WEST FLORIDA and  have medicaid, Medipass. Does anyone know how I can find out If they pay for gastric sleeve and where the nearest doctor is? Thanks