How do I get started?

How do I start this whole process? Do I go to my family Dr. first or go to see a surgeon? I have a surgeon picked out and I know the surgery I want. Do I have to contact the insurance company or will my surgeons office do that for me?? Please help. I have a history of heart problems in my family and my BMI is 56.6. I would appreciate any and all help!! Thanks so much!!!

Call Medicaid first, they are always changing how they want things done. Then call the surgeons office you'd like to go to, Some surgeons will see you before approval and submit for you, other surgeons tell you to get approval first. I started with my PCP, he is who gained my approval and then turned it over to the surgeon. I have Ohio Medicaid, I have some useful info on my profile in regards to them, you might wanna check it out.

I have to say that, especially with Medicaid, if you start your approval under the surgeon you are going to use, the process will be much quicker. Getting things approved first and then trying to add your surgeon's name will delay things a lot....right Vicki? C

Darn tootin Dr. C! See ya bright and early Monday morning! Vickie

Agreed, see your surgeon first. Good luck to you Vicki and congrats! Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor UC Surgeons

Thank you Dr. Selwyn *I have to note though, that the surgeon(s) that were up here in Toledo when I was trying to get approval would NOT see me w/o approval in hand first,from MEDICAID and said my PCP had to do it. So that is the way I went. Now there is just 1 surgeon that does Lap/Open RNY here in Toledo. Everywhere but Toledo the surgeons will make appt's with you and begin the process, so I hear. I definitely got the b/s run around, that's for sure.

I'm sorry to hear that Vicki. I know the process is hard enough without running into a problem even getting to see your surgeon. Thanks for all the great input. Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss