The waiting game.......

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how long this process takes start to finish, (meaning from the referral to the actual surgery date) If anyone has or been in a similar situation as me, I'm not self pay, I'm insured by Molina (California) thru Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program for low income people)  I'm just in the referral stage basically waiting for it to be approved. Bariatric surgery is covered by Molina and paid for by Medi-Cal if medically necessary. I'm anxious and hoping it doesn't take a year or longer for me to have surgery, my referral was submitted August 12 and is currently still being reviewed, please feel free to share how long your process took even if it's not similar thank you!

All insurances are different,  but 6 months seems to be standard,  I am self pay, and my surgeon said three months from first visit to surgery.  I hope so and I hope you get approved fast, good luck on your journey

Thank you!

In my case even with me switching Drs. I would say 6 months  ...

Mine is not typical.  United Healthcare - 2 months from first meeting to surgery.

Thank you everyone for you response's and I just found out today that my referral was approved and I'm soon to meet with a bariatric surgeon HooRayyyy I'm so ready to get this ball rolling! It took less than two weeks for my referral so that was a blessing! Im so overjoyed my journey begins today!!

I have bcbs of Illinois and my first office visit was in February I had surgery April 17th so mines went pretty fast I couldn't believe it good luck

It depends on several factors, but the main consideration are the requirements of your insurance company.  I live in Ohio and I have coverage through the state.  The insurance company required 9 months of supervised weight loss which consisted of monthly weigh-ins and meetings about eating better. I also had to get cleared by a psychologist and my primary doctor. It sounds like Medi-cal is state coverage so the guidelines are probably similar.  Most state plans require 6 months of supervision though.  

I believe Medi-Cal dosent require the 6 months supervised diet and I just finished a 6 month dr supervised diet (weigh****chers) so if they do require it I've already done it! But thank you and I'm hoping this goes fast for me! 

Mine was about 4 months from first visit with surgeon