Another Medicaid Question HELP!

After reading some of these posts I am getting scared. I have medicaid and am seeing my surgeon at the end of July...PLease don't tell me to call him and ask I just want to know what has happened with any of you on medicaid. Is there anything that I will have to pay out of my pocket? I have no income at this time, $0.00, no savings and no change in sight. I was getting 125 a month in child support but he quit his job and has not paid in 3 months..SO. I just want to know what has happened to you so it won't be a shock when they tell me I have to come up with money...It seems so depressing to have come this far and not be able to go all the way just because I have to pay for something. I don;t even have a car to sell (and believe me I would).

I went through a lot over the years trying to get approved through Medicaid. Get a big cup of water and sit back and read my profile, there is lot's of info on my page about Medicaid. OH and NO out of pocket expense @Dr. Curry's. h + p's

RE: no out of pocket expense @ Dr. Curry's Time's have changed, Vicki...the hospital forced us to stop hemorrhaging money... We have had a $300 program fee for about 3 or 4 months now. This is pretty much standard for bariatric programs and we're actually on the low end, especially for the quality we provide. It costs a lot of money to pay a full-time dietitian and nurse practitioner. It took us a while to realize that insurance won't reimburse for any of Erin and Nancy work.

ahh bummer, sorry about the mis-information. Your right that is still on the very low end, a gal posted on the main MB that her surgeon wanted $3500 ! now that's a little steep. But the Dr. in Mansfield quoted me $5000 which for me was totally undoable! And the office could have told me this before I had driven there that day.. they knew what insurance I had (obviously knowing I was lower income) and let me make the trip anyways. I guess they wanted me to come that day just to fix their PP presentation Geesh Thank you Dr. C.

My out of pocket expenses at OSU were $415.00 for the psych evaluation and $53.00 for the Medgem testing. I didnt have the money but I was very fortunate that a dear friend who had WLS several years prior recognized my need and offered to pay my fees. Had she not done that I wouldnt of been able to afford it. This surgery is so important to your life, humble yourself and ask for donations from friends and family. Another option is to apply for a PRC through Jobs and family services for the testing. I will pray and pray that you find your $$$$ to keep moving forward. I am 4 weeks out as of yesterday and have lost 49 glorious pounds. After an initial battle with severe depression I am returning to the Laura that I knew and loved about 24 years ago. I am now looking forward to a lifetime of Roller coasters, swimming, playing with my grandbaby, dating, gardening... Just living.. Keep the faith that this can happen for you. It took me 2 1/2 years to get to the operating room.. But that is time well spent preparing yourself for the life changes you will have to make. I wish you the very best of luck Love and Hugs Laura

Thanks! I have wanted this surgery for 5 years now. When I first looked into it my insurance wouldn't cover it at all so I didn't consider it again until 40 extra pounds and a few other health problems began to make me miserable. I went to a garage sale and the woman was talking about having a date set for the surgery and I said PLease take me with you and she told me that Medicaid would pay. So that's what started the ball rolling again for me. That was a year ago. I was pregnant at the time so I had to wait but while I was waiting I tried to read as much as I could and decide what I wanted. I originally wanted the lap band just for the non invasive aspect but Medicaid will not cover it all at, so I had to decide if I wanted to go through with the bypass and if it was worth it to me and after about 10 minutes of soul searching and stuffing my mouth while thinking about it I decided that that was the only way I was going to save my own life. My only problem with the money is my family is about as bad off as I am as are my friends. I am just waiting to see what the surgeon has to say next month. I just wanted to be prepared in case there was a fee somewhere down the line... YOu are an inspiration to me and I hope that someday I will be on my way down in pounds and up in hope!!

Ok Vicki. I am hooked on the funny tube stuff . What an easy way to get alot of protien. I just ordered 120 more. I am going to drink 2 a day . Its worth it because its so easy and I love not drinking a shake for a change. I am still waiting for the pill, thanks Vicki,you are the greatest,Love Cindy

Debbie, There are offices out there that don't charge a program fee, you will just have to do some research. If you do find one of those programs and Medicaid has approved your surgery, there will be no out of cost to you. The problem, though, is getting Medicaid to approve your surgery. They have very strict criteria and it is solely based on your co-morbidities. If you don't have serious health problems that are directly related to your weight, they will never approve it.