What to do next ?

Hey everyone, I havent been on much trying to get this Insurance stuff together. Im like so loss at what to do now. Might sound crazy but need some directions on what to do next. I just got approve for straight missouri medcaid (red card only). I have also had talk to the Columbia Barstric and they do take that . I will have to go to a seminisr next month which is fine. But I was thinking dont I need to go to a doctor up here like now. I havent been to one since I been hear and honestly I dont go to doctors unless real sick. But mainly ER is my doc. I dont have a six month diet or no weight loss programs. Couldnt afford the programs, so I would try diet with friends or own my own. Its sad that I didnt take my weight serious as some have but once I got gerd an back problems, and see how it taking affect on my mom Im so ready and willing to do whatever I can to get this done. So if you can give me some suggestion or what you did after this let me?

I would contact the hospital or clinic you are wanting to have the procedure done at and ask them if they have a packet of information they could send you. That is what I did when I wanted more information. The hospital sent a packet of lots of info with the exact steps for me to finish before they would send my information for insurance approval. I hope this helps a little. Michelle

Hi Barbara, I am going to the Columbia Bariatric Center myself. I also have Medicaid. I am so surprised how easily it is to get approved for the surgery if you have any conditions that constitutes the need for a reduction in weight. I would deffinately go to a doctor now and get established. Let them know what you are doing, where you are going, and that you need to get established on a doctor supervised diet plan. You will need to have a doctor who will be willing to help you get this under way, because you will need a referal letter from your doctor. It takes several months to get things lined up to get the surgery done (I have been working on getting mine done since Feb. and still have not had my surgery). You can go to the bariatric center's site and pull off a referal letter for your doctor to fill out. http://www.muhealth.org/ I got copies of all of the paper work that they want you to fill out and I had it filled out when I went to my doctor, with the exception of filling out his form of course. That way the paper work was ready when I was ready for them to send it in. You have to attend the seminar before you can have him send the papers in, but, if you see him now, you will be well established into your diet by the time you send your paper work in. They will give you more paper work at the seminar. They lost all mine and I had to have it faxed again, SO BE SURE AND KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING! They ended up having to mail in the paper work. I would get copies of everything! That is what I am doing. Also, after you send the paper work in, don't be shy about calling them. They are working for you. Document everyone you talk to, when you talked to them, and what they said. I know this sounds like a lot of hub bub but in the end it pays. Anyway, if I can be of help to you let me know. Elisa

Hello, I have a question. If a person has medicaid they have to go to columbia for a seminar. If so what date is the seminar on for wls. Many Thanks!!