Medicaid coverage in Louisiana for Gastric Sleeve

I'm soooooooo EXCITED TO SAY I finally got a surgeon! After all the tears, prayers, and discouraging rejection! God showed me that my patience and prayers weren't in vain. I'm so grateful to him for putting the right person in my path at the right time. The day I called which was yesterday is the day my appointment got scheduled which was today! In a little less than a month I will be having my weight loss surgery and it's close to home. God is good. I simply adore my surgeon and I love his honesty as well as his humor. He literally just started taking Medicaid within the past couple of months. If no one else has found a surgeon please let me know and I will forward the info....

I live in Ruston la and I'm trying to find a surgeon who except medicade..I need info plz..I have been looking for about a year now..The one I found in Covington would except me because of where I stay..

Dr. Ruary O'Connell

Renewal Bariatric

?+1 (504) 259-7519?

Mew Orleans, LA

He's accepting new patients and there's currently no waiting list and he takes out of area patients.

If you've completed your Medicaid Requirements you should be able to get an appointment.

I'm just looking into this again now that I have Medicaid..can you tell me what Medicaid requirements you had to do?

thanks!!

Referral Letter from PCP to potential Surgeon

BMI OVER 35

5 Weight monitored Check-in's with PCP

Pre-Existing health issue as a result of obesity (Hypertension, Diabetes, etc)

Psych Eval (Medicaid does not pay for this)

Cardiologist Clearance

Bloodwork done by PCP showing potential conditions such as DIABETES, HYPERTENSION OR SLEEP APNEA as a result of Obesity

*After all things are done make sure that your potential surgeon takes your form of Medicaid. I know it's hard to get most surgeons who do take Medicaid to cover patients with Aetna because of the hassle and they're requirements are more restrictive.

My daughter has a appointment with him in December. We have not seen no one yet. What requirements have to be done or will they walk us through the steps?

They will definitely let you know what needs to be done, however first things first. She needs to have a referral from her PCP. If she hasn't done that already she will need to set an appointment to do so. Her PCP needs to know that she is making an appointment because she's pursuing weight loss surgery. Her PCP will know exactly what blood tests need to be performed primarily because those results are needed when writing her referral letter. She needs to have that done before her appointment with the weight loss surgeon. She then needs to do 5 months of DOCUMENTED weight check-ins with her PCP. (3) She needs a psychiatric evaluation with a psychiatrist stating that she's mentally competent to handle weight loss surgery. (Medicaid doesn't pay for this evaluation and the prices vary based on the Psychiatrist you use.) (4) She needs to get clearance from a Cardiologist stating that her heart is healthy enough for surgery. (5) She must have a BMI of 35 or greater.

I just googled Dr. O'Connell and it says that he does not except Medicaid. Are you sure he is still excepting it?

I'm over here super excited as if it was me about to finally get surgery!!! Lol this is sooooo amazing! I am so happy for you and pray that your surgery, recovery and over all journey is a major success. Can't wait til the day I can finally experience this joy.....

Thank you Hun. I appreciate that! I'm just waiting on Medicaid approval. Are you currently going through the process?