The Debbie Brown Denial Update...

I just received another denial letter from Medicaid...This is getting to be a joke. They are sending denial letters to me on a weekly basis. I don't know if this is denial five, six or seven now...I posted last week that they wanted all the paperwork that they already have. Now this denial says I have to submit records from my doctor showing my weight loss to date from being on Meridia.....OKay I WAS on Meridia for 4 months and that was 6 years ago...yes, 6 years ago.......I am going to submit my papers showing each doctor's visit and weight with a note that I am on the South Beach diet..Then they said they want paperwork showing that I am using my Cpap and how it is working for me...So I am off to schedule another appointment with the sleep study people....They want my xray report and paper from foot doctor stating she will not do surgery because of my weight... They have 2 papers stating this exact thing one from January and another from March when they requested it for the second time.. Now they are requesting it for a third time...I am going to write my congressman and state senator...I also have an appointment with another foot surgeon for the 14th, so I can have a second opinion for them if they ask for that also....So what do you think? will it help to have a second foot surgeon say the same thing? It makes me more determined than ever to go all the way with this....But I do have to tell you when I got this denial paper again today in the mail it was like another punch to the stomach.

Oh, Debbie, My heart goes out to you for all the frustration you've endured. They're still giving you ways to meet their requirements, so they're not denying you totally yet. Every time they ask for something else, make sure you send with it EVERYTHING else you sent before, becaus they obviously aren't keeping it.

I am proud of you for all the fighting you have done with them so far--a lot of people (probly me included) would have given up by now. Keep on fighting--the determination you have shown so far tells me that you will appreciate this surgery all the more, and be a great success story!

That's what I am hoping..I keep telling myself that if I do get this chance (the surgery) I won't complain about anything. I am so ready to start living my life again. I am going to a new foot doctor in the morning for my second opinion, let's hope he will agree that the surgery can't be done at this weight. I got all my doctor's supervised diet charts and cpap read out of used hours...All I need are today's papers and I can resubmit again...Thanks for your support!

Deb, I am thinking about you. I think everything will work out for you. I admire that you are not giving up. Thats how we win Hugs Barb

Thanks. Yesterday I went to my pcp for the papers for the supervised diet plan. I usually see the CNP and he had to have the main doctor sign the papers. The doctor asked to see me and i explained why I needed these papers again (he was the doctor that has given me two papers so far stating that he reccommends the surgery for me). And he told me that they are doing this so I will give up.. I told him i am not going to give up and he told me to just keep jumping through the hopps and I will get this... Then today I went to another foot surgeon to get a second opinion on the fracture and surgery on the foot. He took five xrays and talked to me about everything and I explained that I had been fighting Medicaid for a year now and that they had approved me and then reversed it, he was disgusted with that and he told me the same thing...that they didn't want to pay and were going to try as hard as they can to make me give up. I go back to him next week for an xray report and he said he will also give me a paper that says he won't do the surgery until I lose weight...That's a relief! now I will have two different foot surgeons saying the same thing. He also said that one of his neighbors had the gastric bypass surgery and she is doing great.. She had no complications but did need surgeries for excess skin and was I aware of that? I told him I was and I told him how ready I was, that I have my cabinets stocked with all my "after" foods and drinks and I am just waiting. So it feels good to have the doctors that I deal with on my side. Thanks for your support and I will keep you updated on the rollercoaster ride!

Deb, I really think these Drs are going to help you get this. Sounds like wonderful Drs. I dont see how they can legally denie you after they get this. I really think they are just playing the game. Your smarter than they are. Youll get your surgery. I am so excited to see your approved post. Your going to do great !!! Hugs Barb

Debbie, Did you end up calling a Senator or Congressman? Let us know if you got anywhere with that. Also, You could start an online Ohio petition regarding the laws and exclusions for weight loss surgery. I would sign it. Maybe if they see that we are more than just 'FAT' people, we will be taken serious. Good Luck Nik