I need some information

  Hi, My name is Billie and I'm currently at 391lbs.  I have Sleep Apnea,Type2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure...etc...  My doctor is fully recommending the Lap Band surgery, but I have no insurance.  Due to my status, no kids, not disabled, or blind or over 65, I am also not qualified to receive a Kentucky Medical card.  

My question is this.....   I had recently been told by many people that they know or know of someone who was in a similar situation as I am and they received a "spend down" medical card.  Apparently, they found a surgeon who was willing to do the surgery and after the surgery was completed, the patient applied for this kind of medical help.  there is some paper work in order to receive it to be done and I'm fine with that..   I just need a place to start.  Is there anyone that knows of anything like this? Or can point me to a place where I can start to find out?

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks!

I am in Ohio, so it may work differently than in Kentucky.  I have Medicaid.  I also have a spend down.  My spend down is $498.  The way it works is, I must spend $498 out of pocket EACH MONTH and then my Medicaid kicks in.  If I spend less than $498 out of pocket, I do not get Medicaid for that month.

But it is Medicaid.  You have to qualify for Medicaid to get it.

I don't know of any kind of spend down program that is not related to Medicaid.  I don't know of any program where the surgeon will perform the operation and then you can apply for medical help, involving a spend down or otherwise.

Kelly

http://www.srskansas.org/services/medical_spenddown.htm

Well, that is a program for the state of Kansas.  And you must be pregnant, under the age of 19, over the age of 65, or declared disabled by Social Security in order to qualify.

Kelly

Thanks to the both of you.  Yea.....those are the qualifications here in Kentucky also..well..I'll keep digging around :)  Thank you both once again!