BARIATRIC DR'S (MAYBE PORTLAND) & WA MEDICAID

Hi,  I was hoping by turning to the Oregon board for help with this, I might get more responses.  I live in North Central Washington.  I am waiting for my appeal hearing in two weeks from today hoping to over turn my denial for wls.  The Rockwood Clinic in Spokane were I was planning on going through with Dr. Rawlins can no longer accept Medicare or Medicaid for wls.  So people here in WA who have state medical have to know go to U of W in Seattle which also has a growing waiting list.  At the moment, it is currently a 2 1/2 wait list.  I was told there are places in Oregon.  Perhaps it is Portland.  Could some of you around Portland or other areas find out from your surgeon for me and let their information if they do.  This would really help me and other here out a great deal.  It is appreciated GREATLY!!!!!!!!!  Thank you for your time.

~*Debbie *~

hi debbie ...my name is alan....and im on medicare...im originally from seattle area...but moved to southern oregon...i can tell you there only 2 places in all of oregon that medicare will allow you to have wls....one is good samaritan in portland ...at the legacy obesity institute....dr emma patterson and her team.....the other i didnt find about until later is at Oshs...also in portland....i dont know the surgeons name off hand....     i know that just recently medicare or medicaid stated allowing wls to be done at the university of washington....and i also heard at st francis in federal way washington but im not certain on that one youd have to call them....    i have met everyone at the legacy institute n portland and they very good...i reccomend you contact them....the legacy obesity institute   portland oregon.....good luck to you and god bless....alan

Hello Alan, Thank you for responding to my message.  I really appreciate it.  I haven't checked at all into the place in Federal Way yet, but did some into the other two.  I still will have to see what happens at my hearing with the state on Tuesday, Aug 7th.  I am hoping to overturn the denial for stage 1 out of 3.  My doctor will also be speaking at the hearing on my behalf as well.    I am so nervious and worried about it all.  It has been a emotional roller coaster.  And along the way, two places, both at different times, that I had picked out to do my surgery, had to stop taking medicaid/ medicare patients.  The second place, I had just found out about.  It has been hard and has made me just want to give up but I know deep down that I can't and I would regret it.  And that is just what the state like people to do anyway.  And I have seen too many on OH do that.  Is it hard to get approved in OR?  Thanks Alan.  I need all the luck I can get right now. God Bless you too. ~*Debbie*~ 

Hi Debbie-How long is the wait list at the UW? I went to the OHSU seminar a few weeks ago. They said that the wait time was about 4 months. I hope this helps! Tina

Hello Tina, Wow...4 months!!!  That is great!  UW?  Believe it or not 2 1/2 years and growing!  It is the only place in Washington that we are aware of anymore.  Everyone else has stopped due to the funding by the state from what I have been told.  Now we are down to the UW only.  So I expect the wait list will suddently increase to a longer wait list.  I also have heard that people now can't even get anyone to call them back or even e-mail them.  I am suppose to be on it but I should be making sure now that I have found out for the second time that my second choice has now too stop taking my coverage.  They were sure funny about doing my intake for the waiting list over the phone awhile back.  They almost didn't take me.  It was suppose to go through someone else after the lady who took it over the phone.  So crazy and so strict.   I was denied for the surgery.  Asked for a hearing and had to cancel the first one that was scheduled due to my doctor on maturnity leave.  Now it is on the 7th of Aug and I am praying we can overturn the denial.  If so, I just may end up seeing Oregon real soon.  Thanks Tina.  I was really curious how long the wait was there.  What a huge difference!  Blessings! ~*Debbie*~    

Debbie, contact Legacy Emmanuel Obesity Clinic.  I used medicare and medicaid from Oregon and I don't know why they wouldn't accept Wa.  Check with them to be sure.  Dr. Jan did my surgery and he is wonderful.    Good Luck!  Nancy

Hello Nancy, Thank you for the referral.  I will be sure to keep him in mind.  I sure do hope everything goes well at my hearing on the 7th so I can get the surgery.  I have been told that they do accept medicaid and medicare from WA.  So that is good to know.  Please see what I said above to Alan and Tina.  I just may be heading to OR for sugery if I can win the approval!  Thanks Nancy, I will need all the luck I can get!  God Bless! ~*Debbie*~ 

Debbie, I will be thinking of you on your day.  Don't let anything get in the way of your goal.  You might have to change where you live or whatever but once you take up the sword carry on.   Society still thinks that we are obese because we choose to be this way.  Many of us come from a history where starvation was part of the survival of the tribe.  There are unique and different cir****tances for us all. This is not the easy way out for weight loss.  It hurts, its lifechanging and it is the last resort for many of us.  We are not "fat" because we like to be humiliated and then we become invisible to those very people that we could love. It has changed my life.  I like to think that it has made me a better person or at least one that I can love.  Not from the loss of weight but from the new challenges that I face day to day.  It is so worth it and I would not change my decision at all. I am with you girl, so in spite of my soap box, if there is anything I can do to help you along this journey please don't hesitate to ask it of me. Your friend,   Nancy ps.  My e-mail out of this forum is [email protected]

Oh thank you so much for such great support Nancy.  I really appreciate that.  I found out today from my advocate that I won't know the judges decision for about 4 weeks after the hearing.  What a long wait isn't it?  I just hope it is worth it.  My advocate said, if I am denied again, we will appeal it again.  My advocate told me some of the questions she is going after the doctor with who denied me the surgery, like how long he has been a physician, etc. and one of my favorites..."Have you ever examined Debbie Davidson?"  This should be good.  He will be appearing by phone and we asked that the judge be there in person.  My doctor will be by phone since she is over 30 miles away.  Seven days now and counting.  I felt strong today and want to keep my stand.  Thanks for listening and your e-mail. ~*Debbie*~