new to boards

hello all,
I'm new to the boards and I have been looking into getting WLS.  However I am concerned because I have medicaid and I am worried about their approval process and if they would even approve me.  I have Health Plan of Michigan.  If anyone has had any experience in getting the process started with medicaid I would greatly appreciate some feedback.  Can I visit the doctor I am considering for my surgery and then they can contact the insurance how exactly does it work? Any feedback would be appreciated.  I have a BMI of 41, and I was recently diagnosed and put on meds for my hypertension.  

I don't know anything about medicaid, and how that works, but I can tell you that I normally have to go to my family doc for a referral for any appts, but with weight loss surgery, I simply went to a free orientation at the surgeons office..and they handled everything from there.

thanks for the reply, I'm currently talking to someone from my insurance, not sure how this is going to go, hopefully in the right direction :)

I see you are close to my area.  When at the orientation, for Dr Hendrick out of Wyandotte Hospital- they stated they do not take Medicaid. 

Hopefully you find one that does.

you probably need a referrel from you primary care doctor to have WLS then will need to find one that accepts your insurance.

I would first contact the ins comp and request all written information that they have regarding WLS and the criteria for approval.

also try this link to find out more about who accepts your type of ins.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/MI/3462376/MEDICAID-AND-ME DICARE-SURGEONS-LIST/