Update on Tall Grass in Topeka

I had to go into the office today to get a copy of my records for when I go to see Dr. Hornbastel. Racheal was very nice about it. I called her to tell her what I needed and she said she would have it in 30 minutes. While there I asked Racheal about their progress. She said they now have a date of June 28th to submitt their paper work for Center of excelence. It is still unknown how long after that it will take to get the rating. She is still hoping for 6 months. I'm not sure if that is good news or bad. Seems like they said 6 months in April.

Hi Mark, My name is Kelli. How are you? I haven't been on here in a while. I had become very frustrated with the whole concept of me ever having surgery. We moved here in April from Louisiana and I just now have been linked to a Dr. I'm in Wichita and I am on medicaid right now because I haven't worked in over a year. Back in La. I was approved for gastric wls but I could not find a Dr. that could accomodate me. you know with all of that hurricane mess a lot of them have relocated. I became so disgusted with the state of La. so I packed up my son and we moved here to be close to my best friend and with a lot of hope and prayer I am hoping to find some help with this surgery. I would greatly appreciate if you could point me in the right direction. I've heard a little abouth these centers of excellence but you let me a little more? iwiil be looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks a bunch,Kelli

Hi Kelli, I would be glad to help you with whatever I can. To begin with Medicare/Medicaid changed the rules in February of this year. They will only cover bariatric surgery if it is done at an Bariatric Surgical Center of Excellence. Unfortunately there is no COE in Kansas at this time. There are a number of places working on becoming COE but it will take some time. I understand that you are in Wichita. The closest COE to you is in Norman Oklahoma. That's a suburb of Oklahoma City. Norman Regional Hospital. There is a Dr. Ronnie Keith D.O. there. He runs OKlahoma WEIGHT LOSS OPtions This is his page at Obesityhelp.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Ronnie+Keith+hqf.html You will find his office phone and fax numbers on this page as well. If you go to http://www.owlo.com/ you can learn about their program there and download the patient packet. You will need the Adobe Acrobat reader to download the forms. If you don't have it just follow the link at the bottom of the page and you can get it for free. You must fill these out and send them in to begin the process. He also requires you to go to a seminar or to watch a film he sends you but going to the seminar would be faster, it takes a while to get the dvd in the mail. He also requires a copy of your insurance cards in order to get an appointment. This is all I know about Dr. Keith. I was going to use him but another center became available that is closer to me. I am in Topeka and I am seeing Dr. Hornbostel in Sedailia Missouri. If you would like information on him I can send that to you too. If yo go to this web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp#TopOfPage you will find all of the Medicare approved facilities in the country by state. I'm sure if Medicare approves then so does Medicaid. I hope this information helps you. Obesity Help is a good source of information with lots of tools to help you. Also if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to ask. Just don't give up! It's a lot of work jumping through all the hoops but the pay off is huge. Regards, Mark

Hey Mark, I hope it all works out soon. I was just banded by Tallgrass on June 19th. They are a good bunch of doctors. But I am not sure about your whole coverage situation because I paid cash. If I can help in any way or get information, please let me know. Tallgrass is a great place and I would like to see you get banded.

Actually I'm not interested in getting banded. I'm interested in RNY. I have an appointment with Dr. Hormbostel on Wednsday. I will likely have the surgery end of August first part of September. I expect to have a hard date this week. I just tend to post information here as I get it, that might help out other people who got caught up in this Medicare fiasco.

oh.. well I wish the best to you. I will keep my fingers crossed for the end of August. The medicare fiasco is quite the mess. I know a few other people that have been hastling with that. Hopefully it will all get worked out. I personally don't understand why any and all insurance doesn't cover the procedure without question. It would save them money to not have to buy my diabetes supplies and blood pressure medications. ok, I am rambling!!! Best of luck Mark! Heather