Destined to stay in pain? - Still no Doctor.

As you guys know, I've been fighting abdominal pain now since Thanksgiving.  My gastro doctor said that I needed to go to a surgeon.  My local surgeons won't touch me, I called Duke and they told me that they would see me, but I should try somewhere closer. 

Upon your recommendations, I've called Hickory (Frye) and thought they were going to see me.  They told me to get all my records and send them for the Dr to review.  I did that and they called me today and said they don't accept medicaid, but I could self-pay.  Ummm-if I could afford to self-pay, I wouldn't be on medicaid. 

Anyone have any suggestions? I don't know where to turn now. I'm so tired of being in pain and feeling like I just don't matter.  I'm ready to go back to my original Dr in Florida but medicaid won't pay if you go out of state either.  UGHHHH!!!  

I am so sorry you didn't have success with Hickory/Frye.  I spent last Thanksgiving/Christmas in the fetal position due to abdominal pain, so I know how desparate you are to find answers/relief!  I just scrolled through the medicaid/medicare post at the top of this forum then saw that you'd posted at the end.  Perhaps one of the doctors in Charlotte can be of assistance?  Please keep us posted...you are in my thoughts!

Be sure that the Dr's that you contacted at Frye are part of the group that handles medicare... You can check the this link for the medicare website http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.as p?filtertype=dual&datefiltertype=&datefilterinterval=&filter type=data&datafiltertype=4&datafiltervalue=NC&keyword=&intNu mPerPage=10&cmdFilterList=Show+Items

This is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Health and Human Services website. It provides a listing of the centers of excellence that are recognized by the CMS. If the group is on the list, they should accept both medicare and medicaid. This list shows you the medical center, but not the Drs. There may be a number of Drs that work through Frye that aren't necessarily part of the COE that accepts medicare and medicaid. I'd follow up with Frye Regional directly to see if they can tell you who does accept medicare/medicaid and practice bariatric surgery and/or check with the Medicaid offices tomorrow.

If all else fails, go to Duke so that you can get the care you need. I'm sure that you can transfer later if you find a facility and practioner closer that can take care of you.

I'm so sorry that you are struggling and wish you all the best,

Thanks guys for your encouraging words.  I spent the afternoon in bed - cried myself to sleep. 

Tomorrow is a new day and I'm probably going to try Charlotte area and then if I don't find one there - I am calling Duke back.  It's a long drive but I don't have any other options if Charlotte doesn't work out. 

Pray for me that I find a Dr.  My kids really need their mom back 100%.  50% is better than nothing, but when you have kids with special needs, they really need 100%.

Hey Marcy,

So sorry that they will not accept you with medicaid at Hickory/Frye. I don't think I realized that you were on medicaid before.

Good luck with your search.

Tamara

If all else fails go to the emergency room. they cannot turn you away.

Thank you very much.  Unfortunately, the local surgeons have already told my PCP that they would only be able to continue giving me pain pills and tell me to follow up elsewhere.  Very frustrating.

I'm still looking - I like the info I'm reading about Dr. Mitchell-he's actually had connections with my previous surgeon which is always a bonus.  Do you know if he accepts medicaid? (going to ask separately on the board too).  THANKS!!!