ALL GEORGIA AMERIGROUP MEDICAID MEMBERS

I'M 25YRS OLD 254LBS 5'5 WITH A BMI OF 42. I'M LOCATED IN AUGUSTA GA AND IM HAVING MY SURGERY DONE IN ATLANTA GA AT THE PEACHTREE BARIATRIC CENTER. I STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY IN SEPTEMBER 08 I WENT TO A SEMINAR IN ATL WITH DR TITUS DUNCAN. AFTER THAT I WAS DISCOURAGED BECAUSE PLENTY OF PEOPLE ONLINE STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL MY TEST AND CLEARANCES AND DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR THAT. I COULDNT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON GEORGIA AMERIGROUP MEDICAID EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT PEACHSTATE WHICH IS GREAT BUT I HAVE AMERIGROUP AND NEEDED THAT INFORMATION TO HELP ME ALONG THE WAY. I ENDED UP GIVING UP ON MY JOURNEY.
IN JAN 09 I GOT A CALL FROM MY PCP AND SHE WAS INQUIRYING ABOUT WHAT I DECIDED TO DO ABOUT THE BARIATRIC SURGERY. I TOLD HER WHY I STOPPED PROCEEDING WITH THE SURGERY AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE COULD REFER ME TO ALL THE NECESSARY SPECIALIST TO HAVE MY CLEARANCES DONE AND IT WOULD BE COVERED BY MY INSURANCE. OK SO I WENT ON TO GETTING A CARDIAC, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PCP TEST AND CLEARANCES. AFTER THAT I WENT ON TO SEEING A NUTRITIONIST FOR 3MTHS WHILE JOINIG AN EXCERSISING GROUP. AFTER THE NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION I TURNED IN MY PAPERWORK ON MAY 20 THEY SENT IT TO MY INSURANCE ON MAY 27 AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT I WAS APPROVED ON JUNE 5.  IT TOOK ME 5MTHS TO GET EVERYTHING DONE I HAD COLLEN AT DR TITUS DUNCANS OFFICE TAKING CARE OF MY PAPERWORK AND SHE WAS EXCELLENT WITH HELPING ME.
SO TO SUM THIS UP GEORGIA AMERIGROUP MEDICAID WILL COVER BARIATRIC SURGERY AND IT TOOK THEM ONE WEEK TO APPROVE THIS. I DIDN'T HAVE TO AGGREVATE AMERIGROUP AT ALL I CALLED THEM TWO TIMES AND HAD MY SURGERY APPROVED. IF ANY ONE NEEDS HELP OR ADVISE ABOUT GEORGIA AMERIGROUP I WILL DO MY BEST TO HELP YOU OUT. SURGERY DATE PENDING BUT I'M VERY HAPPY!!!!

I also have Amerigroup and am going to Peachtree Surgical.  So do I HAVE to get a referral for all my clearances for Amerigroup to pay for them? Because my PCP told me that I have to get all of the clearances on my own?!?!  I just want to get all of the clearances done with and get a surgery date!!!

all i know is my pcp refered me to a cardiologist for ekg and stress test and a nutritionist for 3mth supervised diet i just had to call around to get a psychologist.  when i spoke to the psychologist he stated he would just file it with my insurance as a consultation or intial visit. i have not paid for anything out of pocket. my pcp did all my blood work and gave me a medical clearance. amerigroup wants a two year weight history i only need a recorded weight in year 2007 and 2008 and i also had weight records for 2009. i have only been with my pcp since aug 2008 so i had to get another doc from 2007 that seen me for the weight loss drug phentermine in 2007 just so amerigroup could see that i have been overweight for atleast 2yrs.  amerigroup makes you do you 3mth certified nutritionist diet or with your pcp you have to do 6mths. while you are doing you supervised diet also go to a support group for atleast 3mths and get proof that you was attending. once you have submitted all of your clearances stay on top of peachtree clinic to find out if the doc's have signed off on your paperwork and sent to the insurance company. my caseworker was colleen and she was great. after they send the information to the insurance company then you need to directly contact the insurance company and ask if they have an authorization on file for your surgery.  they will give you lip about calling about an authorization but they will give you the information they just prefer to have the doc's office call. if you need further help contact me. good luck and what have you done so far?

Well I went to a seminar May 16.  Then I sent in all the initial paperwork the next Monday, two weeks later I talked to Nicolette and she said that they had verified my coverage through Amerigroup and that the doctor still has to sign off on it. That by next Wednesday they will email me with all of the clearances that I will need.  I have already gone to my PCP and got all my bloodwork drawn.  I made an appointment for a cardiologist for a week from this Monday.  I know this is going to take some time but I just want to get it all over with...  Thanks for all your help!!!

Hello can u help me with a good primary that is bariatric friendly im almost done only need clearance from primary

Hi I'm new to Covington GA and I also have Amerigroup. I would love if you would share who ur doctors where and how everything went. Thanks in advance 

HI

I am just starting to think about Bariatric Surgery I am on Amerigroup.  Am I understanding that Amerigroup will pay for Bariatric Surgery? How do I go about getting this started.  I am 5 5 and weigh about 200 pounds I have diabetes, high cohlesteral, Acid reflux, among other things. I can't seem to lose weight even with Adipex, Weigh****chers, Advocare, and other stuff I have tried all the over the counter products I am just give out with trying.....can anyone get me on the path to a surgery date?

Can someone tell me how to get started because every time I call Amerigroup including yesterday they say it has never paid in the past and still does not pay.

Hi. I know this probably is kind of late. I just joined the Obesityhelp.com So I'm still trying to get use to this. However I can definitely help you with the issue you are having. I have Amerigroup and I am now in the last process of everything. Today my info has been sent to insurance so now I'm just having to wait on insurance to approve it. You can always message me and I can walk you through it...