NH Medicaid Anyone?

Hi all, Happy New Year!! I was just wondering if anyone knows how NH medicaid works with WLS. Is it like regular insurance where you have to be prepared to fight to be approved? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. ~Daniela

Hi Daniela, I believe what you should do is find a surgeon/hospital that you are interested in. I have heard that Medicaid will now pay for this surgery because it is deemed "medically necessary." Depending on your height, weight, and other health issues you may not have to fight at all. Do you have a regular doctor in support of this surgery? That is helpful. I have an HMO and I didn't have to fight to get my surgery approved. I just had WLS on Dec. 27, I've only been home for 3 days Feel free to contact me. I'm on this site looking for other New Hampshire people who have had or want to have this surgery. I had mine done at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts. (I feel that because they specialize in it they are the best in New England.) Have a great new year. Good luck on your decision to have this surgery. Sincerely, Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne. Congratulations on your surgery. I hope everything went well, and I hope your recovery is going smoothly. I have a new patient info session with Dr. Drinkwater in Nashua because I want to stay close to home to be able to have help from my family while in the hospital. I spoke with his assistant and she told me I didn't have to worry about dealing with my pcp at this stage. I do know that medicaid now covers WLS. I'm just not sure if they work like the regular insurance companies and make you jump through hoops. I know that with most everything else, as long as the doctor accepts it there isn't any problem and your pcp gives a referral. I just started seeing a pcp in my area so I don't know her stand on this surgery. If she doesn't agree with it, I will probably have to find a primary doc that will be more open to the idea. Thanks for the good advice. Good luck on the losing side. I hope I'll be able to join you sometime this year. ~Daniela