*****Attn: Wis Badger Car...

*****Attn: Wis Badger Care / Title 19 Patients***** Thank you for you help...your comments will probably determine whether or not I change insurance companies...thank you I have a Badgercare Madison Dean HMO...I went through the entire 4 month programs/appointments...then, at the end, Dean said that I had to wait a year for a lap band....However, I met all of the requirements. Since January, I have had a total of 29 appointments with dean...most non bariatric. In addition to the kept 29 appointments, I had cancelled three and missed 2. (I live out of town) I didn't miss or cancel any bariatric appointments~ So, now after everything...I have to wait a year to prove a good track record of keeping appointments. Is that over the top??? I am so upset. I want to switch to Title 19 so I may see other doctors. What do you guys think?: 1. Will Title 19 deny cause Dean wanted me to wait a year? 2. Will the other doctor/bariatric team want me to wait the year? 3. When on Title 19, and I go to the Milwaukee area, assumming that I'm approved, how long does it take...from start to finish....consult to surgery? (UW Madison Hospitals have a 1 year waiting list for the INITIAL CONSULTATION!!!) Thank you so, so much for your time and consideration!! Take care and good luck to all of you

It is late. I am VERY tired - been up since 5am. I'm off to bed. REMIND ME -- to email you or post back!! I do see you have other options!!! Like I said remind me. My brain sometimes forgets!!! Gala

Teri, State funded insurance are very picky and have pretty strict guidlines because of the costs incurred. By switiching chances are you will have to start all over because you would be new. Make sure if you do switch to obtain all of you current records pertaining to the appts you have had the diagnosis from your primary anything at all that is associated with the Bariatric surgery. Before you switch I would call however and get an outlined criteria to see if you might be getting into more wait time instead of holding out with what you have. Good luck. C

Teri, I had my consultation with Dr. Garren at the UW in Madison on Nov 1, 2004. The first call I placed to him was about 2 weeks prior to that, so I'm not sure who told you that is was a year waiting list for the initial consultation. When I met with him he also told me that they still had some surgery dates left in December & if everything went well with my insurance, then I could have my surgery probably in Jan 05. As far as the Wi Badger care vs the title 19 I'm not sure how that works, but I just thought I'd let you know, other than them asking you wait a year to prove you keep appointments (which I've never heard of) there isn't a long waiting preiod up there. I also have a friend here at work that just sent her paper work in 2 weeks ago & she had her consultation today. Good luck in what ever choice you make. Dawn

In essence Badger Care and Title 19 are one and the same. They come out of the same funding source. Although, Badger Care has had people in HMO's right away. Title 19 will be going to HMOs within the next year, and there won't be any such thing as straight T-19 (except for nursing homes). The wait list could be because your insurance is publicly funded and they may only do so many in a year due to the inadequate reimbursement rate. On the outside a year-long wait is not that long, once you are on the other side, you'll be able to see this. This would be a good time to try and make some lifestyle changes. There are fewer and fewer docs who even take T-19 or Badger Care. Best of luck to you.

I have M.A. UW Madison told me it was 1 year wait also. December 2005 for consult. Broke my heart! That is not fair we have to wait just because of our insurance. We want and need this just as much as the next person.