Medicaid????

any surgery done thru medicaid services if so what are things they look for Helen

gastric bypass can be done through Medicaid. I understand you have to have everything in order for it. I'm not as familiar with it as others I just know that Dr. Ordoyne is working with a lot of Medicaid patients.

Hi Helen, Medicaid wasn't a "fast-moving train" before Katrina and the closing of a lot of facilities in New Orleans put a big break on lots of availability to Medicaid patients in Louisiana. Medicaid does cover RNY and lap band surgery, but it is a little harder finding a provider. Dr. O in Covington (mentioned by Diane) is gaining an awesome reputation as a surgeon and real human being. Dr. Louis Martin has moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Post-K, and he works with Medicaid patients who have Medicaid plus one othe form of coverage. I have a friend who had surgery in Lake Charles, but she was originally approved for lap band surgery in New Orleans. On another note, I can't wait to meet you when you return to the states and the Bayou. Onward! Frances

Dr. Martin did my surgery and he is AWESOME. But, he has not been "in the office" for several weeks now. I think he is supposed to be back around the first of July. He is working out of a great hospital in Baton Rouge right now, but I suspect that he will be moving back to "somewhere" in New Orleans before too long. Best wishes!! Hugs, Pam

Does Dr. Martin do the BPD/ DS surgery? Medicare/Medicaid will pay for BPD/DS, RNY and Lap Band as long as the facility is a Center of Excellence. Center of Excellence is a big snag in the system right now because there is only 3 facilities in Louisiana that are approved at this time. Of course the surgery needs to be medically necessary. Good luck! Mary

Ochsner is a COE, but they do not accept Medicaid for this surgery... and many people wonder why... here is the WHY (or so I was told by one of the RNY surgeons)... Medicare pays the hospital only about $3000 for the DRG category that fits RNY bypass (gastric surgery grouping) ... ONLY $3000 for a surgery that even at it's cheapest cash pay in Mexico is still over $10,000 (without travel cost). Good luck to you in finding your way... I know it can be done, but it is challenging.

Oschner was ready to do my surgery and take my medicare, until medicare made this change with COE, I had already done all pre op and was waiting for some results to get a date then came the change. Dr Kennedy told me Oschner was working on becoming COE and should be in a few months, She told me that in Feb. Now we are in July, Lucky I didn't wait I am having surgery July 11. They must have just changed their minds about talking medicare. Abby