My appeal-Ohio Medicaid-by phone

So I got my appeal letter in the mail the other day and it said that my appeal is going to be next Friday at my local welfare by PHONE!!!! Can u believe that??? Why didn't they send me a letter saying um yah Tema we're NEVER gonna approve u no matter what u do so give it up k? Unless any of u know different and I'm wrong...that's just my first impression, I get a letter saying my appeal will be by phone...it's a big fat no...am I wrong? ~Tema

Tema, Dont Lose hope, my appeal was by phone as well and actually I think it was an advantage. The judge could not prejudge you by your appearance etc. They already have all the medical evidence in front of them and know your case. This is your chance to show them the emotional side of your situation. The things that you can no longer do that you once loved doing. How being obese has kept you from working in a job you have always dreamed of doing. How painful physically and mentally being obese is. And my caseworker recommended either bringing friends and loved ones to speak on your behalf or write letters to be read. They give you all the time in the world to speak. So speak from your heart. Tell them how this surgery will SAVE your life and give you back to your family and loved ones. The letter that got to them was the letter from my 12 year old son telling the judge how he felt like he was losing me one day at a time. That he missed having me at his ball games, going to ride roller coasters with. He was missing out on having me be an active part of his life. The caseworker was in tears and the judge told me off the record that day that he would reverse the denial. Please Please Please I beg of you to not give up. I went into that hearing without any medical records or speaches to be made. I just let God guide me and spoke from my heart. I will keep you in my prayers and NEVER GIVE UP... Hugs Laura

Hey Laura- Girl bet ur sweet ass I'm goin!! I'm havin a hell of a time gettin a babysitter but I'll scrounge up one somewhere cuz I will be at that hearing if I gotta have both my kids there and threaten to take them to jail if they don't sit there and be quiet I'll be there lol!! I'm goin!! I think my plan is to just make up a list of topics I would like to go over with them about difficulties about being overweight and talk from my mind/heart about how hard it is, not prepare a written speech that way it sounds better to them, my kids are too little to write letters or I'd have them write letters too. Also Laura I wanted to ask u since u appealed and got a decision, how long did it take for your decision to go through even though they told u on the phone how long did it take to find out officially? Thanks for the support I'll be appealing this Friday! ~Tema

Hi Tema, I would also take in pics of you if you can. I would fax them even if they are in B and W. That gives them a face with the person they are talking to not just a number. Good Luck! Richard

Hi Tema, I agree with Loraine. Don't look at the phone hearing as a denial. This is your opportunity to set the record straight on why you really need this surgery. I knew I really needed this surgery and I had to convience OSU, Medicaid, Medicare and Psychologist that I needed this surgery also. One day I sat down with a pad and pen in hand writing down my reasons for wanting to have surgery. I poured my heart out on that paper, then drafted my letter. I sent a copy of the letter to all of the aboved mentiond and waited for approval. A copy of my letter is on my profile to give you an idea of how bad I wanted everyone involved to know how serious I was. Don't give up and think positive. Georgeann

Sister Georgie, You are looking Beautiful these days!!!!!!!!! And the best is yet to come....Whoooooo Hoooo Look out world Sister Georgie is coming. Hugs Laura

Thank you for your support I will be appealing, I'm not giving up, I'll appeal it once, if they deny me again THEN I'm done because if they're gonna deny me on a phone appeal then they'll just keep giving me phone appeals and denying me so I won't do it again...no point to it..but I will be there for this one!! lol! Thanks! ~Tema