KY Medicaid??

I am an Indiana loser (haha)--post-op since 9/15. My aunt lives in KY, is on medicaid, and interested in surgery. Can anyone give any guidance? I am a Kentuckian, so no hoosier jokes--they don't apply to me.

I would first say that she should call madicaid and see if the type of surgery is covered that she wants. Also I would ask which doctors that they approve then go from there and research them all. That's about all I can think of right now. If I think of any more I will post that too lol. My mind is so scattered.

Melanie, I have ky medicaid and I had rny and they paid for it. All I done was, I found the surgeon that I wanted and that accepted ky medicaid and called and got an appointment with them. I had to get a referal from my pcp and they done the rest. Where is she at in ky. If shes close to me then I can tell her of a few surgeons that accept ky medicaid. Hope this helps...

How long did it take for medicade to approve you? And what do they require for approval?

She is in Henderson which is in the west, on Hwy 41, just south of Evansville, IN. What about the whole Bariatric Center of Excellence?? I had heard rumors that Medicaid will only cover if you use a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Is this true?

that is true Melanie...

With Ky Medicaid you don't have to go to a center of excellence...with Medicare however you have to go to a center of excellence... I know this from experience because I had mine at a small hospital in Louisa KY and also have medicaid. The steps for me were: 1) find a doctor that accepts medicaid and make contact with them.. most of the time they'll send you a packet of information to fill out and return 2) get a referral from your pcp 3) first visit with surgeon... from then on they'll point you in the right direction.. I hope this works for you!!

Melanie, I had the surgery on KY Medicaid in May 2005. The only thing not covered was the councelling sessions, but the office let me make payments on that. My PCP sent a letter of referral and the office took care of the rest. After all tests were complete and I passed "inspection" the date was quickly set. Dr. Sonnanstine at the Tri-State Surgical Weight Loss Center at St. Luke West in Florence KY is the best around! His team is unbeatable in support and getting you where you need to be, the care is fabulous. I was one of the "lucky" people who had my intestines twist just as I was about to leave the hospital. Dr. S was right there wheeling me down to x-ray himself and getting me back into surgery in litterally no time at all. Everytime I woke up in recovery he was sitting there near me. He is right on the ball all the time. I would recommend him to anyone considering this surgery or even lap-band, in fact my best friends mother is going to him next! The center has also just be designated as a center of excellence. Hope this helps!

Hi Melanie, I went to Henderson county with a Melanie Coomes, Graduated in 77, could this be the same one. I live in Henderson, and am looking into the Lap Band, and I have medicare and just found out that Louisville has now been accepted as center of excellence. It's the Norton hospital on Chestnut. I've been there 2 times with back surgeries. The first stay was not a very good one, but the second all the nurses were really nice and took good care of you. And it's only about 1 hour and 45 mins. drive. which is the closest to us. But I'm in Henderson with your aunt and probally know her. haha. Of course , we aren't as small of a town as we use to be. But good luck and hope she has a safe operation. Lydia Littrell Butts