Questions about Ohio Medicaid for a friend

I am post-op, but am researching for a friend to see if Ohio Medicaid would cover her surgery expenses. She weighs about 450 and has severe co-morbs (diabetes, arthritis, sleep apnea, etc.). Any info I can pass on to her will be greatly appreciated. Also, if it will, do you know of any doctors in the Southern Ohio area that she can call? I've gone to the library, but didn't really find anything useful. ~Jessi

hey i weigh 546 they approved me i live in dayton and i have medicade i will help anyway i can

I also was approved in less than 2 months. Many people on this site just rave about Dr. Curry so you can try him. Mine is Dr. Bruce and Dr. Clarey in Dayton and he really pushes it thru medicaid as well. If interested try their website which lists their numbers. It is www.weightlossalternatives.com Good luck! Doreen

Dr. Curry is at Deaconess Hospital in Cincinnati. PJ

Hi Jesse!! OH Medicaid will approve for surgery once certain criteria are met. Here is the criteria: *BMI higher than 50 unless you have co-morbidities *Surgeon's office needs to send a letter of medical neccesity *12-18 months of Primary Doctor's office notes--(would be helpful if you brought those on your initial visit with the surgeon) *lab reports, xray results, sleep study reports and any other obesity related test reports *List of Medications *Diet history--CAN NOT be in the patient's own handwriting. (Erin the dietitian completes these forms when you come in to the office here at Deaconess.) The Diet history must be detailed with dates, duration of diet and amount of weight losses and weight regains with each attempt--WHICH MEANS THE MORE DETAILS THE BETTER. Hope this helps!!! Cathy (Dr. Curry's Medical Assistant) Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center 513.559.2545

information only make sure they send in all of your paper work with the request it can cause some delays and stress

I was approved by Medicaid...I had to have my PCP write the letter, OSU wouldn't look at my application until I had prior-auth. But really that was better, because my PCP was more knowledgable about what efforts I had been making. As for surgeons in southern Ohio...I know the one in Portsmouth is no longer there, he moved to CA, the lady who was doing some there after him no longer does, there is one very good surgeon who has done 1-2 WLS but he is very selective. In my opinion...your friend needs to go to a big city.... Cincinnati or Columbus. Not that you wouldn't be able to find an excellent surgeon in a smaller town, but you also want to make sure the hospital is capable of handling WLS patients and any complications that may arise.