Medicaid Weigh Ins

I know several people on this board have used/are using medicaid to pay for their surgery. I have a couple of questions and would appreciate input anyone can give. 1) How often does Medicaid want you to weigh in prior to approval? 2) What conditions do Medicaid consider more life threatening? I have several co-morbids and health problems. 3) How long does Medicaid want you to diet prior to approval? 4) Any suggestions on approval for Medicaid? (Something you know that worked for you) I am also trying for disability due to a severe back condition and numerous other problems. If anyone has advice in this area, I would appreciate that too. I am switching PCP's because mine keeps moving from partnership to partnership and each office has a different protocol. When he was in practice by himself, he didnt charge for bi-weekly weigh ins, now they want to charge. I want to go into my new PCP's office with all the information I need to get the ball rolling.

i have medicaid. and usually what hospital you go to for wls will give you a printout what medicaid requires. to be approved for wls you have to have a prior authorization for surgery and referred by your family doctor. and get as many around 5 years,of diet history and your own story to would help,ex;how long youve been overweight,how long youve been obesed,how many pounds lost and regained with each diet,what diets you used;medical supervised,or diet youve down on your own, any help with your weight;example:hynpotism for overeating like the american lung organization offers for 50. all your medical conditions. the more you have the better the chance you have of them paying. also,i would definately get another medical doc. ive never everhad to pay for any weigh ins. thats bad.

I have been denied 5 times by Medicaid and have finally been approved and I have a list of things they consider......This is long....Immediate, life threatening hypertension or other cardio-vascular disease, not controlled by medications, objectively documented by the cardiac/vascular/internist or other consulting physicians.... Immediate life threatening diabetes mellitus poorly or not controlled by medications, objectively documented by lab and consultation reports by the internist/endocrinologist.. Recommended back or lower extemitity surgery refused by the surgeon due to obesity, objectively documented by radiographs and a letter from dissenting surgeon..(This is what I had and Still had to fight over a year and had five denials) Psuedo tumor cerebri, objectively documented by radiographs and a letter from the neurologist.. A BMI of 50 or above in conjunction with other co-morbidities secondary to morbid obesity..(Lower BMI's will be considered with objectively documented significant immediate life threatening co morbidities) The above are collectively considered. A comprehensive medical review of the submission by the Committee for Special Requests will determine if the patient's condition substantiates medical necessity for the surgical intervention... The Following diagnoses do NOT support medical necessity for the approval of gastroplasty, gastric stapling or ileo-jejunal shunt... Depression/bi-polar/schizophenia Suicidal ideation Shortness of breath Stress incontinence Asthma Family history of ailments Sleep Apnea secondary to morbid obesity unless sleep studies document severe obstructive type with O2 saturations